A black bear moves slowly and deliberately along the intertidal zone of Glacier Bay, tracing the line where the dense coastal forest meets the cold, lapping waters. It pauses now and then, sniffing and pawing through driftwood, rocks, and seaweed in search of blennies (an eel-like fish), crabs, beach hoppers and other tidbits exposed by the falling tide. The bear’s dark form contrasts sharply with the glistening shoreline, a living link between the forested slopes above and the rich marine life below. Observing it in this space highlights the intricate connections of Alaska’s coastal ecosystems, where land and sea overlap, and wildlife depend on both habitats for food, shelter, and survival. In these remote places, each step the bear takes is a reminder of the rhythms of tide and season, and of the untamed wilderness that defines Glacier Bay. Photographer: Sean Neilson