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A Lone Lodgepole

Evan Watts

United States of America

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High in the Wyoming Rockies, a grizzly bear sow and her cub cross a mountain river. It was a cool morning, and thick fog hung overhead as steam rose from the river, creating an ethereal scene around one of nature's most respected predators.

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Nominee

Honorable Mention

Through the Fog

Alaska's Bear Coast stretches hundreds of miles and boasts some of the best brown bear habitat on earth. This massive boar was the largest and most dominant on his stretch of coast, and in this image, he is seen eyeing a sow, a potential mate, that might allow his dominant bloodline to continue.

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King of the Coast

At 692 miles long, the Yellowstone River carves through mountains, canyons, and vast prairies. It is the longest undammed river in the contiguous 48 states, and with it's headwaters found at the most remote location in the contiguous 48, it is truly one of the wildest rivers left in our country.

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A Wild River

In fresh, powdery snow, a lone lodgepole pine stands. Despite being almost completely buried under snow, it is resilient to winter's wrath.