Wilder Places. Deeper Perspective.

Alaska Wildlife Photography

Through the lens of Mary Jacquel

Whales surfacing in quiet bays. Eagles riding the wind. Bears moving through the forest.

These photographs bring together wild encounters and everyday observations from my life in Alaska. Explore the collection, then follow the stories behind the photographs and discover ways to experience Alaska’s wildlife yourself.

On the Water

Time on Alaska’s waters offers glimpses into a beautiful world - from the lift of a humpback’s tail to a seal watching quietly from the surface.

Sea lions resting on a rocky shore with snow-capped mountains in the background.
A close-up of an orca whale swimming in the ocean, with part of its back and dorsal fin visible above the water.
A humpback whale breaches the surface of the ocean, with a large portion of its body visible and water splashing around it.
A group of whales surfacing in the ocean with their mouths open, likely feeding or breaching, under a cloudy sky.
A large black whale breaching out of the water with water splashing around it, against a background of mountains and cloudy sky.
A close-up of a humpback whale breaching out of the water with mountains and cloudy sky in the background.
An orca whale surfacing in calm water with a distant foggy shoreline and trees in the background.
A sea lion on a rocky beach with seagulls in the background under a blue sky.
Three large, dark-colored whales with bumps on their heads are partially submerged in water, with one whale's head raised slightly above the water's surface, and a bird flying in the cloudy sky above.

Along the Shore and In the Forest

Two puffin birds floating on water with distinct colorful beaks and black and white feathers, in a natural setting.

Where land meets water, there’s always something to watch. These photographs capture the birds and wildlife I’ve encountered along Alaska’s coast, forest and wild places.

A brown bear swimming in a body of water with a rocky and leafy background.
A bald eagle in mid-flight with wings spread, gripping a fish with its talons, against a clear blue sky.
A brown bear standing on a grassy field with a foggy forest in the background.
Two otters resting on a floating piece of ice in icy waters, with rocky and icy landscape in the background.
A close-up of a sea otter's head and upper body floating in water with ripples, facing directly toward the camera.
A bear walking in a shallow stream with a waterfall in the background.
Close-up of a majestic bald eagle's face, showing sharp yellow beak and piercing eyes.
Two bald eagles on a tree branch, one perched and one diving.

Explore Wildlife in Alaska

Curious about the encounters behind the photographs or hoping to have your own? Explore firsthand stories and practical advice to help you decide what belongs in your Alaska trip.

Humpback whales surfacing and breaching in the ocean against a cloudy sky.

Whale Watching

Explore what to consider when choosing a whale-watching experience, from boat size to the kind of day you want on the water.

Find your whale-watching experience →

A bear swimming in a river with green and brown foliage in the background.

A Day Watching Brown Bears

Join me at Waterfall Creek for a firsthand look at brown bear viewing from Juneau and what the experience was like.

Read the bear-viewing story →

A colorful waterfront building with signs for Tracy's King Crab Shack, surrounded by people, benches, and flower planters, with a lush green mountain in the background.

Explore Juneau

Discover wildlife experiences, trails, glaciers, and everyday favorites through the perspective of someone who lives here.

Explore the Juneau Edit →

Mary Jacquel sitting on a boat railing, holding a large camera with a telephoto lens, aiming at the horizon near the ocean, with cloudy sky background.

I’m so glad you’re here.

There’s so much Alaska to share!

Mary