Two adorable bear cubs captured hearts when they were photographed standing side by side, seemingly holding paws while waiting for their mother to return with dinner.
The touching scene was photographed by wildlife photographer Lewis Kemper during a photography tour in Lake Clark National Park, Alaska. The two young cubs had been left together while their mother went off in search of fish.
In the photographs, the siblings stand patiently beside one another. The smaller cub reaches up and rests a paw against its bigger sibling’s back, creating an unusually sweet moment between the two young bears.
Kemper, 62, said he was only about 20 feet away when he spotted the cubs. The bears in the area are accustomed to human presence, allowing photographers to observe them from a respectful distance.
Although fish are a favorite food for bears in Alaska, they are omnivores and also consume plenty of plants and grass. For these two cubs, however, their biggest concern seemed to be waiting for their mother to come home with something to eat.
Kemper has more than 30 years of wildlife photography experience and has traveled as far as India to photograph animals. But Alaska remains one of his favorite destinations. After visiting the state more than 30 times, he continues to be fascinated by its remarkable concentration of wildlife.
Sometimes, the most memorable wildlife moments aren’t dramatic at all. They are simply two little cubs waiting together—and finding comfort in each other while their mother is away.