Bears of the North

In Bears of the North, renowned wildlife photographer, naturalist, and bestselling author Wayne Lynch offers us a work of scintillating science and stunning beauty. Following the polar bear, the brown bear, the Asiatic black bear, and the American black bear through the four seasons, Lynch provides readers with an insider's view of the mysteries of hibernation and the birth of cubs in winter; the relentless quest for food and mating rituals in spring; hunting, fishing, and daily activities in summer; and the feeding frenzy and exuberant play that precedes hibernation in autumn. Dispelling the stereotypes and untruths—but none of the magic—surrounding these magnificent creatures, Lynch comments on the latest scientific discoveries related to the biology, behavior, and ecology of bears. He explains how satellite telemetry has revealed the purpose behind the meanderings of bears and the great distances they sometimes cover on land and in water. He also shows how DNA analysis can reveal the relatedness of bears within a population, the sexual partners of resident males and females, and even the identity of a cub's father.

Taking us out into the wild to share his firsthand observations of the magnificent bears of the northern hemisphere, Lynch describes their survival strategies and the threats they face from habitat fragmentation and global climate change. Lynch's fascinating narrative is enhanced by over 150 gorgeous color photographs, most never seen before, capturing bears in their natural habitats, including the mysterious moon bear, fierce polar bear battles, and rare images of mothers' intimate moments with their cubs. Informed by Lynch's nearly forty years of experience observing and photographing bears in the wild, and aided by ever-more-sophisticated digital photo technologies, Bears of the North introduces readers to a new universe of enthralling portraits of bears in their natural environments.