bears

Meet Earl at Pack Creek

This spring we met a celebrity during our Pack Creek Photography Workshop, or maybe he’s just a young, hungry bear trying to make a name for himself. Either way, we’re happy to feature him in our newsletter with this article and numerous glamor shots from one of our photography instructors, Alan Sanders.  
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Meet Earl

On a recent photo workshop on the David B we had a chance to meet Earl. This was at Pack Creek on Admiralty Island, which has the highest concentration of brown bears in the world. Earl is a young male, approximately four years old (and yes, the rangers at Pack Creek name all the bears). 

Most of the bears at Pack Creek ignore our presence as we sit in the designated observation area. But not Earl. He mostly went about his business, which consisted of eating the abundant sedges, but every once in a while he couldn’t help himself, he had to stop and pose for us.

Earl pausing mid chew to pose for us – photo by Alan Sanders

For our part, we couldn’t get enough of him. He is certainly the most photogenic of bears. We couldn’t help but think that he knows that. Or so it seemed. More than likely, as a young bear, he was curious about these peculiar “hairless apes” who were watching him so intently.  We spent most of one day and part of the next watching Earl. We also saw a couple of females with very young cubs, plus a few bears clamming on the beach. They were all certainly fun to watch and photograph, but they weren’t Earl.

Earl admiring the leaf in his ear – photo by Alan Sanders

Pack Creek is arguably the best bear viewing area in Alaska, or anywhere, for that matter. There are a couple of reasons for this. One is that it is limited to no more than 24 people a day. Usually when we’re there we are the only ones. Contrast this with some bear viewing areas that are so crowded you get a little beeper, like you get in a restaurant to let you know when your table is ready. When it goes off it’s your turn to spend 15 minutes at the viewing area, then you have to make way for the next group. Not so at Pack Creek.

Earl in yet another pose – photo by Alan Sanders

Another reason is the bears at Pack Creek have been interacting with humans since 1951. They have learned that we are not a threat and in fact are completely benign. This knowledge has been passed down from generation to generation. Consequently they just go about their business and completely ignore us…except for Earl.

– Alan Sanders

Trip #481 – May 25 to June 1, 2026 – 8-day Alaska Pack Creek Photography Workshop
Departs/Arrives – Juneau
Availability: 8 Spots
Price: $9,800 per person (double occupancy)

Trip #481 – May 24 – 31, 2027 – 8-day Alaska Pack Creek Photography Workshop
Departs/Arrives – Juneau
Availability: 8 Spots
Price: $10,290 per person (double occupancy)

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Feel free to contact Sarah about any of our photography workshops on the David B.