Day 19 - The last bear feed

Late in the chum salmon run, the McNeil River Falls remains the domain of large bears - each with its own fishing style. As these bears move to other river systems, the area will become safer for mothers and cubs.

This is the last in a series of daily video feeds from McNeil River using our robotic HD camera system. If the bears stay focused on salmon and not our cameras, we plan to release several new programs- at random times - before the end of August. Stay tuned!

We'd love to get your feedback- tell us what you think of these HD clips and where you are watching them!

Day 18 - Sun gone, salmon still here

After a day of sunshine, the bears arrive to a cloud-covered river. The sun is gone, but chum salmon are still here. The end of July is near, and we near the end of our remote HD project.

Day 17 - Morning colors

A stunning morning at McNeil River. At sunrise, Augustine volcano is aglow and smoke is rising for last year's eruption. A few bears are fishing, while a dramatic transition from night into day dominates the scene.

Day 16 - Week two highlights

A rainy overcast week at McNeil River was accented by the arrival of more salmon. The fishing was good, and the interactions between bears intense at times but also playful. This highlight program is a collection of the best images of the week.

All of these shows are recorded using a new remote HD robotic camera operated from over 100 miles away. Thanks again to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the Pratt Museum, and the National Park Service.

Day 15 - Run salmon run

Overcast skies do not bring rain tonight to McNeil River but the salmon come in large numbers.  In the first five minutes of filming over 15 fish are caught by bears all over the river.

Day 14 - Time for Fishing

A light rain falls this evening at McNeil River, and a pulse of chum salmon moves upriver. Bears up and down river are able to catch fish and eat well. Disputes over fishing holes are common, but most are solved with growls - bears usually avoid physical contact when possible.

Day 13 - The birds and the bears

An overcast morning finds fifteen bears and a few birds at McNeil River. Some of the larger bears in the prime fishing holes are able to catch fish while the others wait for the next pulse of salmon.

Day 12 - Time for play

Wind and rain rush down the McNeil River this morning. We see a handful of bears, and only a sporatic fish is caught. For many bears this is a good time for sleeping. For others, it's time to play.

Day 11 - A bear for every salmon

By evening, the McNeil River Falls has more than 30 bears. The chum salmon run is near its peak, and bears with all styles of fishing are catching fish. This program is shot in 24p for viewing on AppleTV at HD resolution.

Day 10 - Stolen Dreams

With more than forty bears at the McNeil River Falls, catching a salmon is only half the challenge. One of our favorite bears, Jordon, has a bit of trouble keeping his catch during this evening of bears.

Day 9 - Highlights of the week

Chum salmon arrived in ernest this week, and many new bears have been fishing. For this highlight program we offer the best images of the week - all shot using the robotic camera system. It's a ten-minute HD program that includes notes on the filming process.

Sunday we'll prepare a new show. Thanks to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the Pratt Museum, and the National Park Service.

Day 8 - A night at the river

Many salmon have entered the McNeil River. They must run a gauntlet of more than 40 brown bears to get upstream. It's an amazing evening.

Day 7 - Down river

Below the McNeil River Falls, a group of large males have gathered to catch salmon on their way upstream. These are some of the larger bears at the river, some weighing more than 500 lbs. Many fish are caught today by the biggest, and there are plenty of scraps for gulls and eagles. For the camera crew that's more than 100 miles away, we enjoy a remote system that is working flawlessly.

Day 6 - A day of feasting

More fish arrive and bears are feasting on salmon and salmon eggs. It’s another cloudy and moody morning, but a very good day for bears looking for sustenance. The remote camera link is repaired (at midnight) after a curious bear bit through a power wire

Day 5 - Waiting for fish

It's a slow fish day at the McNeil River falls. Many bears are waiting for salmon, but with little success. A grey and cold day that's perfect for watching bears with a cup of coffee or tea.

Day 4 - A river with bears

Weeks of waiting coalesce on this July morning. Salmon have arrived and bears begin their feast. This is our first daily feed with the remote hd cameras- the images are glorious and the bears are amazing.

Day 3 - Eagles arrive

It's a beautiful and clear morning. Bears are waiting for salmon-- but they are not alone. Today we see many bald eagles-- both adult and juvenile-- waiting for fish. This is our last test-program before the launch of our daily bear feed. Cameras, power, and radio links all work great-- from 110 miles away!

Day 2

Waiting for fish. Bears and bald eagles await the arrival of the salmon. Several young eagles, their heads not yet showing white feathers, await fish scraps too. The camera system works well, but mosquitos are attracted to the CO2 from the fuel cell. Many bugs surround the camera when winds are low. A funny problem to have.

Our first day of filming and editing. A beautiful, foggy morning-- like a dream. Bears have arrived, and the camera system is delivering the first HD images ever transmitted from McNeil River, Alaska. The show begins.