The Kamchatka Peninsula is a 1,250-kilometer long peninsula in the Russian Far East.

It lies between the Pacific Ocean to the east and the Sea of Okhotsk to the west.

Biologists estimate that a sixth to a quarter of all Pacific salmon originates in Kamchatka.

Sockeye salmon and bear

Kuril Lake is recognized as the biggest spawning-ground for sockeye in Eurasia.

Bears have a good time during the spawning season.

Sockeye salmon and bear

Sockeye salmon and bear

Sockeye salmon and bear

Sockeye enters the Severnaya River on Kuril Lake to spawn/n South Kamchatka Sanctuary<><>South Kamchatka Sanctuary; Kuril Lake; Kamchatka; sockeye; salmon; spawn

Some of the salmon rushing to spawn are thrown to shore where they become easy prey for seagulls and bears/n South Kamchatka Sanctuary<><>Oncorhynchus nerka; South Kamchatka Sanctuary; Kamchatka; Kuril Lake; sockeye; salmon; spawning

When sockeye rush spawning rivers in large number, the fish push each other out of the water/n South Kamchatka Sanctuary<><>Oncorhynchus nerka; South Kamchatka Sanctuary; Kamchatka; Kuril Lake; sockeye; salmon; spawning

Sockeye spawning in a river/n South Kamchatka Sanctuary<><>Oncorhynchus nerka; South Kamchatka Sanctuary; Kamchatka; Kuril Lake; sockeye; salmon; spawning

A sockeye darts from a bear by jumping into the air/n South Kamchatka Sanctuary<><>South Kamchatka Sanctuary; sockeye; Kamchatka; bear; Kuril Lake; salmon; spawning

Bear and sockeye/n South Kamchatka Sanctuary<><>South Kamchatka Sanctuary; Kuril Lake; Kamchatka; bear; salmon; sockeye; spawning

Bear jumping after a fish/n South Kamchatka Sanctuary<><>South Kamchatka Sanctuary; bear; salmon; spawning; Kuril Lake; sockeye; Kamchatka

Fishing lesson Медвежонок пытается поймать лосося

A mother’s treat

Predator and prey/n South Kamchatka Sanctuary<><>South Kamchatka Sanctuary; sockeye; Kamchatka; bear; Kuril Lake; salmon; spawning

Bear troika/n South Kamchatka Sanctuary<><>South Kamchatka Sanctuary; bear; Kamchatka; Kuril Lake; salmon; sockeye; spawning

salmon-bear (6)

Two sockeye dinner Медведица поймала 2 нерки

Bear supper/n South Kamchatka Sanctuary<><>South Kamchatka Sanctuary; sockeye; Kamchatka; bear; Kuril Lake; salmon; spawning; roe

Encounter/n South Kamchatka Sanctuary<><>South Kamchatka Sanctuary; Kuril Lake; Kamchatka; bear; salmopn; spawning

A bear with hoards of spawning sockeye/n South Kamchatka Sanctuary<><>South Kamchatka Sanctuary; sockeye; Kamchatka; bear; Kuril Lake; salmon

Two bear families meet on the shores of Kuril Lake/n South Kamchatka Sanctuary<><>South Kamchatka Sanctuary; Kamchatka; bear; salmon; Kuril Lake