These stunning photographs have captured the lives of Alaska’s polar bears as they try to catch seagulls, get physical and even wave for the camera.
Photographer David Swindler visited Katovik at a time where more polar bears start to appear on the barrier islands before reaching peak numbers.
The beautiful animals can be seen going about their lives but becoming curious about Mr Swindler and his camera equipment.
The 35-year-old photographer from Utah said: ‘Bears have long been a favourite subject of mine since I love their playfulness and antics.
‘It was quite exhilarating to get close to some of these bears. When they stand up to their full 8ft stature, it's pretty intimidating.’
Despite a number of the images showing the gentler side of polar bears, Mr Swindler took all the photos from the safety of a small boat.
Stunning: Photographer David Swindler visited Katovik at a time where more polar bears start to appear on the barrier islands before reaching peak numbers.
Say cheese: These stunning photographs have captured the lives of Alaska's polar bears as they try to catch a seagull, get physical and even wave for the camera.
Going for a stroll: The bears can be seen going about their lives but become curious about Mr Swindler and his camera equipment.
Checking him out: Mr Swindler, 35, seemed to catch the attention of this young family as the curious cub goes to take a closer look.
Boisterous: While the cubs may be quite playful, the adult bears can be a little more physical with each other.
All white: A close-up photograph of a tired young cub who collapsed in the snow near the water.
Extraordinary animals: Mr Swindler it was 'quite exhilarating' but also 'pretty intimidating' to get close to some of the bears.
Getting on with life: Mr Swindler claimed the bears 'didn't even care whether we were there or not'.
Checking out the landscape: Occasionally, the bears would stand up on their hind legs to get a better look around, Mr Swindler said.
We three bears: Mr Swindler will soon be heading back to see the polar bears near Katovik to guide a photography group.
Territory: Mr Swindler said the bears liked to walk around with their noses in the air to help them smell his presence.
Taking his chance: Mr Swindler decided to make his trip to see the polar bears after taking a voluntary severance package.
Caught in a scrap: The photographer said he had taken pictures where it looks like the bears are wrestling, fighting, and even dancing.
Up close: Mr Swindler had previously worked as a semiconductor engineer, but decided to follow his true passion and now offers guided photography trips.
Catch of the day: The bears were curious about everything they found, Mr Swindler said, from sticks that would wash up on shore, to dead seagulls.
Take a look around: The innocent face of failure after the duo failed to capture the seagull.
I'm coming to get you: This adult polar bear had no luck with catching a seagull as he made a splash in the water.
Family: Here is a mother bear trying to separate two naughty cubs - one of many photographs taken by Mr Swindler in Alaska.
Wood you believe it: Polar bear cubs can be easily amused - here are two playing with a stick.
Walking around: Mr Swindler, a photographer from Utah, said that polar bears can be very dangerous.
Time for a nap: One bear is fast asleep while another takes advantage by deciding to use him as a pillow.
Looking down: Being is a boat gave Mr Swindler a good advantage, because he was able to capture the reflection of the bears as they approached the water.
Staring: Mr Swindler said he has 'always enjoyed photographing wildlife' - and Alaska is only beaten by Africa when it comes to the best destination for this.
Roaming: The photographer said that viewing bears from a small boat and seeing them at eye-level 'makes a huge difference in the quality of your photographs'.
In the water: The bears can be seen becoming more curious about Mr Swindler and his camera equipment, with one even looking to take an extreme close-up.
Checking out the equipment: Mr Swindler said he 'never once thought I'd photograph a polar bear with a wide angle lens'.
Photo opportunity: The photographer was able to get extraordinarily close to the polar bears thanks to the use of a small boat.
Dropping: Photographer Mr Swindler took these photographs from the safety of a boat. In this image, one bear stands up on its paws to get a better look.
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