Beautiful moment Arctic sunset bathes family of polar bears in warm glowing light




A photographer has captured the moment a stunning Arctic sunset bathes a family of polar bears in a warm light - turning their usually white fur into a deep orange.



The shots show a polar bear mother and her cubs walking along the shore under a dramatic, clear sky.

These beautiful images were captured by Seattle-based photographer Jon Cornforth in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Orange glow: A polar bear mother and her cubs walk along the shore under a clear sky. The images were captured by Seattle-based photographer Jon Cornforth

Relaxed: Mother even pauses to stare straight down the camera lens

Colour change: The sunset turns the bear's normally white fur a deep shade of orange

Every year the barrier islands near the Arctic city of Kaktovik, Alaska, turn into a giant polar bear nursery as the bears wait for the Arctic Ocean to freeze over for the winter.

In the stunning pictures, the bears are totally at ease with one another and can be seen following each other along the shoreline and the mother even pauses to stare straight down the camera lens.



The mother and her cubs bask in the last rays of the sun as they line up along the water's edge and lift their heads to smell the air.

Cubs huddle together and their mother nuzzles against them as they enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Arctic landscape.

What can you smell? The cubs lift their noses to the air as their mother lays behind them

Keeping warm: The two cubs huddle together to stay warm in the freezing climate

A mother's love: The mother polar bear nuzzles against her cub as they walk across the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in North Slope, Alaska

Stretching out: The bears lay down by the water's edge. Every year the barrier islands near the Arctic city of Kaktovik, Alaska, turn into a giant polar bear nursery as the bears wait for the Arctic Ocean to freeze over for the winter

One cub and its mother then lay down for a nap next to the clear, glacial water.



Arctic National Wildlife Refuge was created to provide a safe, secure home for polar bears, caribou herds, grizzly bears, wolverines, peregrine falcons and other wildlife.



The reserve, which measures 200 miles from its northernmost point to its southernmost point, has six different areas which provide a habitat for a wide range of animals.



Air is usually the only way to access the area because of its remote location.

40 winks: The mother bear and her cub take a nap while the sun sets over the reserve

Tired: The pair seem to be having a rest after wandering across the islands

I see you: The mother bear casts a protective eye towards photographer Jon Cornforth as the pair lay down

Look to the sky: The two cubs peer into the clear, blue sky as the sun sets over the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge







