Alaska’s wilderness offers unforgettable wildlife encounters, and each year, our photo contest showcases incredible moments captured by travelers. Some of these photos were taken by visitors who happened to be in the right place at the right time, while others were the result of careful planning—journeys taken specifically to see Alaska’s iconic animals. Either way, wildlife is never guaranteed, and that’s what makes these experiences so special. We reached out to the photographers behind these images to hear the stories of patience, luck, and adventure that led to their unforgettable encounters. Their firsthand accounts offer inspiration for anyone hoping to witness Alaska’s wild beauty for themselves.
Breaching Humpback Whale
It was a gorgeous, sunny day, and I was really hoping to witness a humpback fully breach. Up until that point, we had mostly seen whales surfacing for air or performing powerful tail slaps—beautiful sights in their own right, but I was holding out for something more. Then, we came across a lone whale who, as our guide explained, seemed to be in an especially playful mood. He had been doing a lot of partial breaches and dramatic tail slaps.
And then, suddenly, he launched himself fully out of the water—the exact moment I had been hoping for! I captured the shot using a 100-400mm telephoto lens, though the whale wasn’t nearly as close as it might appear. Still, it was close enough for everyone on the boat to see the breathtaking breach with their own eyes. To say it was an unforgettable moment would be an understatement. It was truly one of the most incredible sights I’ve ever witnessed, and this photo remains one of my all-time favorites.
Destination: Juneau / Tours: Juneau Whale Watching Tours / Photo By: K. Nicole Gattis Ross
Curious Marmot
I spotted this Marmot in Denali National Park about 6 miles from Mile 42 while hiking in a backcountry unit with friends. I'm always on the lookout for wildlife. The animal marmot was curious about us too, we just sat and watched for awhile while it ate flowers and continued about it's day.
Destination: Denali National Park / Access: Denali National Park Transit Busses & Backcountry Tips / Photo by: Brooke Broderick
Rufous Hummingbird
In late May, while exploring Haines to soak in the stunning scenery and wildlife, we stopped for an early dinner. Suddenly, a quick movement outside caught my eye, and to my astonishment, I was looking at a hummingbird in Alaska! I grabbed my camera and dashed outside.
Despite the cloudy afternoon, sunlight illuminated this tiny, remarkable bird, which migrates around 3,000 miles all the way from Mexico to Alaska. I didn’t know hummingbirds migrate to Alaska and was ecstatic to see it. It was a profound realization of our connection with nature.
Destination: Haines / Photo by: Gamze Quick
A Wolf Watches Quietly from the Bushes
I was on a park road tour in Denali National Park. Everyone was watching for wildlife and would alert the driver if an animal was spotted. The driver would then try to position the bus for the best viewing. The wolf was a surprise! We also saw brown bears, moose, and elk that day. The bears and elk were further away but the moose were right next to the road. The wolf was hiding right by the road and I took the photo through an open window.
Destination: Denali National Park / Access: Denali National Park Road Tours / Photo by: Tom Ruiz
White Crowned Sparrow under the Midnight Sun
The day we arrived in Fairbanks, Alaska, we were exhausted from our long journey. We checked into the Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge, and while my husband went to rest in our room, I grabbed my camera and set out to explore, hoping to spot some unusual birds. Wandering behind the hotel along the river, I noticed a white sparrow perched on the fence. Although they exist in my home state, I had never seen one before, and it took me by surprise.
That evening, I experienced the magic of Alaska’s "midnight sun" for the first time—it was late, yet the world around me was still bright as midday. What an incredible place!
Destination: Fairbanks / Hotel: Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge / Photo by: Lita Kishbaugh
Coastal Brown Bear Digging for Clams
I have photographed brown bears in Katmai National Park, but this was my first time at Lake Clark. It was great seeing bears with mountains in the background. The bears here were very focused in digging, and they ignored each other, and the very few people on the mudflats. This photo is one of my favorites in the set. I was happy to capture the bear digging with undeterred focus and mud slinging action!
Destination: Lake Clark National Park / Access: Lake Clark Bear Viewing Tours / Photo By: Karthik Subramaniam @karthz
A Raft of Otters
My wife and I spent three months exploring Alaska in our RV, and the wildlife was absolutely incredible! On this particular day, we were out on a friend’s boat in a small bay off the north shore of Valdez Arm, having spent most of the morning fishing. As we ventured further out, we spotted several rafts of otters, and this group, in particular, seemed curious as we approached.
Using my 150-600mm lens, I was able to capture them while keeping a respectful distance. There’s something special about photographing otters—their playful nature and expressive faces make them one of my favorite animals to photograph!
Destination: Valdez / Access: Valdez Day Cruises / Photo By: Larry Gambon
Busy Woodpecker
We had just about completed the full loop around Reflection Lake—starting to the right—when we approached the wooden boardwalk section near the main junction. That’s when a bird suddenly flew through the trees and landed just ahead of me.
As hobbyist wildlife photographers, we had chosen this trail after reading great reviews about the moose and various bird species often spotted here. The morning of our visit was a little drizzly, but nature doesn’t take breaks, so neither do we when we have a camera in hand. We walked the entire trail, and luckily, the drizzle let up about halfway through. Though we hadn’t seen much wildlife early on, we kept busy photographing the details of the forest—trees, fungi, moss, and scenic views of the lake.
Then, just as we neared the entrance, something flying through the trees caught my eye. I quickly spotted a woodpecker and rushed to get a better view. It pecked a few times, then flitted to another tree, repeating this a few times within a cluster of tall trees. Luckily, they were close enough together that I was able to keep it in sight—and that’s how I captured this wonderful shot.
When I reviewed my photos and saw that I had gotten a beautiful image, it made my whole day. As any photographer knows, sometimes all it takes is one great shot to make an entire outing worthwhile. This moment turned our visit to Reflection Lake into a truly memorable experience!
Destination: Palmer / Trail: Reflections Lake Trail / Photo by: Kristen & Ryan Yaldor @yaldorphotography
Spouting Orca
We were on a Stan Stephens Glacier and Wildlife Tour with Captain Amanda, enjoying excellent weather and breathtaking scenery. Amanda was fantastic at spotting wildlife and pointing out details along the way, making the experience even more memorable.
Our two-week RV trip had no set itinerary, and Valdez was a last-minute detour—but it ended up being one of our favorite stops!
Destination: Valdez / Tour: Stan Stephens Cruises / Photo by: MIke Tripp
Munching Moose
I took this photo while driving from Chena Hot Springs back to Fairbanks. On the right side of the road, we spotted a pond where two moose were feeding. We couldn’t resist stopping, so we turned around and parked in a small lot across the street. For about 20 minutes, we watched and photographed the moose as they calmly fed in the water.
We’re from South Carolina and were on an extended RV trip through western Canada and Alaska, always keeping an eye out for wildlife. While we didn’t have a specific list of animals we hoped to see, these moose were among the most entertaining we encountered.
To make the moment even better, a bald eagle perched in a distant tree, turning the spot into a prime wildlife viewing area. It was mid-afternoon, partly cloudy, and the moose were so close that when one lifted her head from the water, we could hear it streaming off her face.
Destination: Fairbanks / Access: Chena Hot Springs Road / Photo by: Joe Mills
A Noisy Pika
I was hiking off-trail along a mountain ridge in Hatcher Pass, always keeping an eye out for wildlife. On this particular day, I was hoping to spot the tiny collared pika, a creature that makes its home among the rocky slopes. Luck was on my side—I stumbled upon one busily gathering flowers, grasses, and moss for its winter stores. I spent hours watching this little critter dart back and forth, its mouth often stuffed full of vegetation.
Pikas had been on my wildlife wishlist for a while, and having the chance to observe one up close, all to myself, was an unforgettable experience. They are naturally curious but also cautious, constantly scanning for danger. Once I spotted this tiny pika in action, I knew I had to move slowly and carefully to avoid startling it. At one point, I sat down to let it get used to my presence, reassuring it that I wasn’t a threat.
Then came the moment I’ll never forget—I was lying on my stomach, camera ready, waiting for the pika to reappear. Suddenly, it ran right up next to me, let out its signature high-pitched squeak, and dashed off again. I couldn’t help but laugh, realizing that in this encounter, the little pika was the one calling the shots!
Destination: Palmer / Area: Hatcher Pass / Photo by: Melissa Meade
Dall Sheep
I was in Denali National Park on my second trip to Alaska. My first visit had been with family, but I knew I had to come back to focus more on photography. This time, my goal was clear—I wanted to photograph Dall sheep. I had fallen in love with them after spotting them from a distance on my first trip, and after doing some research, I decided to spend a night in the Mount Margaret region.
With my backcountry permit in hand, I packed up my camping and camera gear, rented a bicycle for the return trip, and set off on the long hike up into the mountains. The effort paid off when I found two male Dall sheep near a small mountain stream. I was thrilled! With my 150-600mm lens, I was able to keep a safe, comfortable distance while capturing their movements and interactions. I spent hours watching, observing, and photographing them, completely immersed in the moment.
On my way back down the mountain, I continued exploring for other wildlife. That’s when I stumbled upon a Rock Ptarmigan. This was a life bird for me and quite the surprise!
Destination: Denali National Park / Access: Denali National Park Transit Busses, Backcountry Tips, & Bike Denali / Photo by: Jody Hildreth
Coyote on the Alaska Highway
We spent four incredible weeks exploring Alaska and the Yukon, and each day brought a new adventure. On this particular day, as we traveled from Haines Junction to Tok, we had an unexpected encounter—a coyote waiting for us along the roadside. As we drove further, he moved to the middle of the road, watching us just as curiously as we watched him! It was a surprise we never expected and quickly became the highlight of the day.
Of course, we were always on the lookout for bears and moose, and later that day, we were lucky enough to spot a grizzly enjoying the wildflowers along the roadside. Our wildlife wishlist included the Big Five—grizzly, black bear, moose, wolf, and bald eagle—and to our delight, we saw them all. The coyote was an unexpected bonus!
June proved to be the perfect time to visit. Every day spent in this breathtaking landscape felt like a gift, made even more special by the incredible weather and unforgettable wildlife encounters.
Destination: Between Haines Junction and Tok | Access: Alaska Highway | Photo by: Klaus and Ingrid Heussner
I was driving along the Denali Park Road, not far from the kennels near the park entrance, scanning for wildlife—mainly mammals. I had just been lucky enough to spot a moose with her calves walking up a slope toward the road, incredibly close.
A little farther down, I noticed several people out of their cars, looking intently in the other direction. Curious, I stopped, thinking they might have spotted another moose. But before I could investigate, a shadow passed overhead, catching my attention. I looked up just in time to watch a Northern Hawk Owl land nearby—my first-ever sighting of one!
It was Labor Day weekend, late afternoon, with the sun still bright but lower in the sky. The owl perched on top of a spruce tree like a perfect tree topper, calmly surveying its surroundings. I took far too many photos, as I always do.
More people had stopped to see what the others were looking at, so I pointed out the owl to them. Sometimes, you just have to look up. In the end, I never did find out what had originally caught their attention, but I didn’t mind—seeing the owl was more than enough.
Alaska was my 50th state!
Destination: Denali National Park | Access: Denali Park Road | Photo by: Karin G
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