Brooks Falls: Katmai National Parks's Gem

Don’t Go to Brooks Falls Without Reading This First!

    Planning a trip to Brooks Falls in Alaska’s Katmai National Park? This iconic bear-viewing spot is on many travelers’ bucket lists—and for good reason. Every summer, brown bears gather here to feast on salmon leaping up the falls. But before you book, there are a few things you should know to make your trip unforgettable.
This guide covers -how to get to Brooks Falls, the best time to visit, what gear to bring, bear photography tips, safety advice, and insider recommendations from my own experience as a bear photographer and adventurer.

Here's what this blog will cover:

• Initial thoughts on Brooks Falls
• Where is Brooks Falls?
• Best time to visit
• How to get there
• Permits and Accommodations
• What to pack for your trip

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 1. My Initial Thoughts on Brooks Falls

When I first booked Brooks Falls, I’ll admit—I was hesitant. (Okay, maybe I'm a little spoiled.) After visiting remote corners of Katmai like Halo Bay—where I’ve seen wolves stalking grizzly cubs, massive boars battling for dominance, and entire bear families fishing—I wasn’t sure a “touristy” spot like Brooks Falls could compare.

Crowds aren’t really my thing (hence why I love Alaska), and Brooks Falls can see 200+ visitors per day in peak season. Most floatplanes only carry 6–11 passengers, so that’s a lot of flights coming in. Plus, I’d heard the rangers are strict (for good reason—bear safety is no joke).
But, I’d always wanted my own shot of the iconic bear catching salmon mid-air photo. And I’m glad I went—because Brooks Falls surprised me in the best way. Let's dive in.

2. Where Is Brooks Falls?

Brooks Falls is in Katmai National Park, a 4-million-acre wilderness on the Alaska Peninsula. Established in 1918 to protect the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes after a volcanic eruption, Katmai is now world-famous for its brown bear population and thriving salmon runs. Check it out here: Katmai National Park
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 3. Best Time to Visit Brooks Falls

The peak bear-viewing season depends on salmon runs and can change year to year:
-Late June – Mid-July: Highest bear activity as salmon begin their upstream migration and bears will be mating.
September: Another great viewing window as bears fatten up before hibernation. 
Shoulder Months: Fewer crowds in early June and late August, but bear sightings can be less predictable.
If you’re after the classic “bear at the falls” photo, aim for early to mid-July. We went in mid-July and did not get this photo, so remember it's wildlife, wildlife is unpredictable.
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 4. How to Get to Brooks Falls

 Option A: Fastest Route
        -Anchorage → King Salmon (commercial flight)
        -Floatplane → Brooks Camp (~\$450 round trip via Katmai Air)
* Ideal for travelers short on time—book well in advance.

 Option B: Most Flexible & Weather-Resistant
        -Anchorage or Homer → King Salmon
        -Shuttle to lake Naknek via boat launch
        -Katmai Water Taxi (~45 min; $400–$550)
* Less weather-dependent than floatplanes.

Option C: Private Charter
* Charter from Anchorage, Homer, or Kodiak directly to Brooks Camp via floatplane
* Perfect for groups or those with flexible schedules and budgets

Our view going across Katmai on the way to Brooks Falls.

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 5. Permit & Accommodation Tips

-Camping at Brooks Camp: Reserve early via Rec.gov—spaces sell out quickly, like day of open quickly. Camping gives you multiple opportunities to see bears at different times of day.

-There's a lodge at Brook with a restaurant and what looks like great accommodations: https://www.nps.gov/places/brooks-lodge.htm

-River Permit: Required to walk the river corridor. Only worth it if you have a guide, waders, and bear safety experience. River Permit

-Gear & Food Cache: Brooks Camp has a storage area for food and equipment—very handy for waders, boots, and gear you don’t want to carry on trails.
* Food Rules*: You can only eat in designated fenced areas. No food in backpacks while hiking, no eating on trails.

-Before embarking on your adventure you'll have to attend "bear school" that teaches you appropriate behavior around these bears. The ranger center opens at 8 am. I'd recommend doing that first and then hitting the falls before too many planes make it to the lake. Bear school

Weather permitting your float plane will land in Naknek lake and places you near the ranger center. 

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6. What to Pack for Brooks Falls
* Long telephoto lens (200–400mm or more)

* Lightweight monopod or tripod especially if you're taking video

* Polarizing filter (CPL) for glare reduction, a neutral density filter for the falls

* Waterproof boots and  waders (mostly for river permit holders)

* Rain jacket and layers (weather changes fast and it gets HOT in the sun there)

* Dry bag for camera gear and rain covers for lenses/cameras or a backpack to carry your items

* Bug spray & sunscreen

* Binoculars for spotting bears from afar

*Sturdy hiking books as most of the trails are gravel/ dirt and are uneven in many places.

A photo of the food and gear caches. The Restrooms are pit toilets on the other side of the building.

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 7. Photography Tips for Brooks Falls

* Stay 50 yards away and try and maintain that distance from bears*: Park rules require this distance from bears to keep you safe and avoid changing their behavior.
*Lenses: I used a Canon 200–400mm f/4 with 1.4× teleconverter (560mm). A 200–800mm or 600mm with a TC would also work very well for this trip.
* Falls Shots: A 70–200mm is great for wider views with a bear in frame and the waterfall scene, longer lenses for detail shots like fish in mouths, claws, etc.
* Filters*: A CPL filter helps with glare, especially in midday light, it can also naturally boost contrast in your images. For the falls shot where you want to blend the water, a 1 stop or even 1/2 stop ND filter is probably enough especially on a cloudy day. I was able to get some blur in the water even in bright sunlight. 
* Tripod/Monopod*: Optional, but useful for heavy lenses. I handheld my lens all day and was fine.
* Weather Readiness*: Conditions can flip between rain, clouds, and bright sun in minutes. Make sure your gear is protected.

Sample photos from my trip: 

A view from the falls platform into the river. I had harsh light so I decided to shoot silhouettes 

More salmon jumping action, I actually had to snap a few frames here to get the grouping and look I wanted.

This bear sat in the river patiently waiting for the right fish. The river was teeming with salmon. 

I grabbed this frame walking back to our float plane. This bear walked the beach, swam out into the lake and ate a dead salmon.

This was taken on the river, this young boar was a ready fisher on the river. 

I was across the river when this big boar #801 made his way into the stream and started looking for fish.

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 8. Safety Tips for Brooks Falls
* Never approach a bear—let them pass if they’re on the trail.
* Follow ranger instructions at all times.
* Keep a safe distance (50 yards from bears).
* Store all food in designated areas.
* Move slowly and avoid running—bears can run faster than you think.

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9. What I’d Do Differently

* I'd try Camping at Brooks Camp to maximize bear-viewing time.
* Maybe next time I'd bring a 2× teleconverter for even more reach.
* Shoot more video of bear behavior.
* I'd use a monopod for long sessions with heavy glass or a monopod with holster so it can stay on my body
* I'd 100% Keep the river permit—it’s where we saw the most action, but we are also very comfortable hiking in, through, and around bears and bear habitat (at least in Alaska). 
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10. My Final Take

Our flight from Kodiak was unforgettable—flying past rugged mountain peaks, glittering glaciers, and landing on a glassy lake.
Brooks Camp was busier than my usual bear-watching spots, but there was still plenty of bear activity and behavior to photograph, I didn't feel like I was in a crowd of people.
Would I go again? Absolutely. Halo Bay will always be my favorite for remoteness, but Brooks Falls is worth every penny—and should be on every Alaska traveler’s list during bear season at least once. You can always contact 
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 11. Brooks Falls FAQ

Q: How many bears will I see?

A: In peak season, you might see a dozen or more at once. Numbers vary by salmon run and time of day. Walking the river I saw at least 8 bears along one small stretch of river. We saw at least two bears on the trails and two bears right near the ranger station. 

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Q: Can kids visit Brooks Falls?

A: Yes, but supervision and following safety rules are critical, youngsters should not leave more than a few feet from adults.

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Q: Do you need a guide?

A: Not for the main platforms, but guides are recommended for river access or photography-focused trips, especially if you're new to bear viewing and walking streams.

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Q: Are tripods allowed on the platform at the falls. 

A: No, but they can be used as a monopod, there is also a railing if you need to stabilize your camera

Atlantic Puffins in Iceland: Photography lesson

 

Photography Chronicles-Atlantic Puffins: Iceland                    

TL;DR

1. Where we went for puffins (no boat rides necessary!)

2. Camera techniques and settings

3. Strategies for bad weather or unanticipated circumstances

Section 1: Puffin Locations and Logistics

   Puffins were high on my list of animals to photograph during our trip to Iceland in late May. At that time of year, they're busy searching for or digging burrows—but it’s too early to catch them feeding chicks, so don’t expect photos of them with fish or squid in their beaks. That said, it’s a great window to catch them mating or gathering nesting material.

You can try mornings, but late afternoons and evenings were far better at both spots we visited. Puffins return from the ocean to roost for the night, and the sweet spot seemed to be anytime after 4 p.m.

While puffins aren't exclusive to Iceland, it offers some of the most accessible locations to capture incredible behavior and landscapes—no boat ride required. Here are three popular no-boat-needed spots:

1. Látrabjarg sea cliffs

2. Cliff viewpoint on the Tjörnes peninsula

3. The puffin marina in Borgarfjarðarhöfn

We skipped Látrabjarg due to time constraints (and frankly, awful weather that day). Our main goal was to see the country and drive the Ring Road, which we did in a camper van. I was secretly—and not so secretly—excited to see the puffins. I’d photographed tufted and horned puffins in Alaska before, but never the irresistibly charismatic Atlantic puffins.

Here’s a breakdown of the two locations we did visit:

1) Cliff View Point on the Tjörnes peninsula

    This was very much a stand at the edge of a cliff adventure. I don't really like heights but for puffins, I'm willing to budge.  The map below is where you park and where we walked. It's along road 85 on the peninsula about 25 minutes from Husavik. 

                                

It was cool seeing interactions of the Northern Fulmars and the Puffins. As well as puffins standing on cliff edges.

Above: A curious Atlantic Puffin checking me out.

A Northern Fulmar inspecting the cliffs below it.

"Permission to buzz the tower." 

The cliffs offered some really interesting behavior as seen here and in some of their 'true' habitat along cliff faces.  

"The Puffin Marina"

    This was my favorite puffin colony of the trip. A boardwalk runs right through the middle of the burrows, letting you walk among the puffins without disrupting their behavior. It’s located in a small marina in Borgarfjarðarhöfn (go ahead, try saying that five times fast).

It’s a bit off the Ring Road, but 100% worth the detour. The town is small but charming (and like most of Iceland, has amazing food). You’ll need to drive over a serious mountain pass—I wouldn’t want to attempt it in winter—but once you're there, the parking lot is easy to find. From there, it’s a short walk down a staircase to the colony.

The boardwalk has some restricted viewing spots, but there are still plenty of angles for behavior shots. Sadly, we didn’t get any sunny days, but the grey skies actually offered a lot of flexibility.

Located via google maps satellite view. It's a bit out of the way from the Ring Road, but it's well worth the stop. It's a small but nice town (really great food, much like the rest of Iceland). You have to go up over a very foreboding mountain, I would not want to drive that road in the winter! The parking lot is easy to find and is only a short walk down some stairs to the colony.

A shot of puffins landing and leaving the colony. (@70mm)

Above: a puffin coming information a landing, note the water droplet off the foot. (shot at 200 mm)

Above: taking a break from napping, the shape of the puffin is beautiful.

Above: Someone was very mad at having another puffin in its space! (@200mm)

The puffins here were surprisingly tolerant of humans, mostly keeping an eye on each other rather than us. The boardwalk limits your angles a bit, and I definitely caught myself taking the same shot a thousand times, but it’s still a phenomenal spot.

You can also visit this area at your own pace—no tour required.

When to go: Puffins are typically present from May to August, peaking in June and July. In early season (like our late May trip), they’re still nest-building. The best action happened after 6 p.m. and lasted until dark.

Section 2: Photography/video

Equipment: 

-Canon 200-400 F/4

-Canon R5

-Canon 28-70 II EF f/2.8

-Canon 16-35 III EF f/2.8

-Small rig fiberglass tripod with geekoto video tripod head

-Feelworld External Monitor

Gear I Wished I Had brought:

• 70–200mm

• Macro lens or extension tube

• Tension arms for tripod stability

Recommended Settings:

For flight shots, for sharpness in the wings, I used a minimum shutter speed of 1/2000 sec. With no clear skies, I had to push ISO up to 25,600 in the evenings for some things. The grey skies gave soft, even lighting—but you miss the dynamic contrast of directional light, I discuss this more below.

Photo review

Telephoto

Shutter: 1/1250" f-stop: 7.1 ISO 2,000. @ 200 mm We were at the cliffs near Husavik for this shot. The puffins were checking us out to make sure we weren't a threat. I like the inclusion of the grass in this photo, it gives it a sense of depth. 

Shutter: 1/5000" f-stop: f/5  ISO: 25,600 Focal length: 200 mm. My older camera (Canon Mark III) could not have taken this photo. After studying my images (always do an in field image review) I knew I needed higher shutter speeds. I did an auto-ISO  with about -1/3 exposure compensation if I recall correctly. this is my favorite photo from the trip due to the landing puffin, the two puffins in good Frame on the right, and the puffin easily visible in the background with no clipped wings in frame. I will say DXO Photolab 8 has really won my heart. Their de-noise capability is even better than Lightroom I'd say. I chose this angle of the hill because the reflection of the light was low and allowed for a naturally black/dark background ( I did not artificially blacken the background like you'd see a lot of people do). Auto exposure modes help with situations like these.

A 'wide angle shot' at 70mm. This was tough lighting here, I had to underexpose for the sky and raise shadows in post. Not my favorite way of doing it, but I wanted a more balanced image. 

Above-Shutter: 1/2000th f/2.8 ISO 800. Due to the boardwalk being close to the burrows you could easily get nice portrait shots of the puffins. 

Above- Shutter: 1/2500" f/8 ISO 10,000 @371 mm- Don't forget to take behavior shots! You'll get a ton of puffins just sitting and looking about, but try and look for behavior. The puffin on the right was very mad at this particular individual. Later on that evening he even pushed him off the cliff edge. Breeding time is a tough one! 

Section 3: Tips for Crummy Conditions

We’ve all been there: You dream of a spot, imagine golden hour light, silhouettes, stunning cross-lighting… and you arrive to flat grey skies, rain, or both. So what now?

Tip 1: Roll with it.

Sure, it’s a bummer not getting those epic golden shots. But once you accept the conditions, you can lean into creativity. Grey skies are nature’s softbox—shoot from any angle without worrying about harsh shadows.

Tip 2: Survey the scene. “Shoot around the world.”

This is key no matter the weather. It’s tempting to snap a thousand photos of the first puffin you see, but trust me—walk around. Try different angles. Look for high-key or low-key opportunities. Observe their behavior. What’s their “tell” before they flap their wings? Learning your subject is half the battle in capturing a compelling shot.

Tip 3: Shoot to your conditions.

Rain adds mood and drama. Don’t use too fast a shutter or you’ll freeze raindrops in a way that flattens the emotion. Let them blur a little for effect. For perched birds, water droplets can look amazing on feathers.

Example:
This raven was searching for fish in the rain. Mist and moisture added atmosphere to the story. Don’t fight the weather—use it.

Shooting to condition also means using your situation to your advantage. So maybe the conditions are grey, but less light means you can play with slower shutter speeds. 

This was shot at 1/30th of a second shutter speed @ 400 mm. There were a lot of failed shots, but the slower speed shows the movement of their wings when the puffins would stretch and warm up. I'd like to get this shot when the puffin is face on to me, but alas, I was not able to capture that angle. Unless you have a filter to darken the scene, low light scenarios are great for this type of shot.

Feel free to reach out with questions. Thanks for reading!

 

Fun Times: Dry suit certification, Hoodsport Washington

     

What the heck is a drysuit anyway, why get certified?

    For cold water diving (anything below 65F), things can get cold very fast when you're diving. SCUBA diving is a more or less slow swimming, relaxed activity, so typically you're not moving around a whole lot so that you can conserve air and not spook the critters. When I lived in Alaska I was wearing a thick wetsuit and holy cow did I get col! There were many nights after doing a night swim where I couldn't feel my fingers or toes (and this was with gloves, boots, and a 7mm wetsuit). I knew a long time ago, especially after wanting to live in Washington State at some point, that I'd have to get dry suit certified to get the most out of my cold water diving, I was tired of freezing my butt off and I wanted to see some new cool stuff. 

    As the name implies, drysuits keep you (for the most part) DRY. When you're in the water and your body is wet, heat leaves your body at least 25x faster than if you were to stay dry. Naturally and logically, keeping dry keeps you warm, especially when you can choose what undergarments you can wear. My ultimate goal was to convince my wife we need drysuits. After diving with the cuttlefish in Australia, the amazing octopus and critters of Sydney, and exploring the rich and diverse underwater life of Alaska, we both knew drysuit diving was our next step (she is the budget committee after all). 

I have met a lot of divers who aren't certified, and that's totally fine, we wanted the option to rent drysuits down the road and I really believe in being as competent as diver as possible, so I was leaning towards taking the class. I am most certainly glad I did. We got certified through NAUI, whose curriculum I'm a big fan of. I can confidently say I can dive competently after this course and will be able to do so in a few months. 

Who we dove with.

 I had some anxiety about the class leading up to it as I've heard so many stories over the years about people suddenly getting caught upside down and floating away, or drysuits flooding with unfavorable consequences. This was all settled by our instructor- Lee, at YSS Dive in Hoodsport, Washington. After chatting via instagram with Mark (@PNW.diver) a well known local diver in the area, he recommended a few dive shops and YSS in Hoodsport worked for us. They even created a class on the weekend for us to fit our schedule!

The staff was friendly and very knowledgeable walking Mollie and I through our undergarments, drysuit types, and how to appropriately fit our cuffs and neck seals. They took a lot of the mystery out of dry-suit diving and made us feel super comfortable. Plus, if you take the class and buy through them you get a STEEP discount on some of their drysuits. 

My favorite part about drysuit diving was that both Mollie and I really did stay warm! The water was 50 degrees. Your face and head still get wet, but the addition of a hood helps. My wife proclaimed she never wants to cold dive again without a drysuit (big win for me, music to my ears). We have a lot of cold water adventures planned in the future. Prior to this we would've been very chilly (leafy sea dragons, Australian Giant Cuttlefish, crab aggregation in Australia, diving Canada -the list goes on and on). We will likely buy our own drysuits down the road since we'd like to travel but for now we will rent as we go and this certification will help! 

A successful class in the books! Eventhough our time in Washington is almost done, I feel very competent with drysuit diving and would have no problem diving again in a few months. We did two dives going over drysuit specific skills. Admittedly there's a bit more setup involved with drysuit diving, but the comfort level in cold water is 100% worth it! I can't get too excited though I'll be back in my wetsuit when in Alaska. 

Where we stayed. 

I have two big recommendations if you're staying in Hoodsport I really like:

1) The Glen Resort (Glen Ayr Resort)

2) Sunrise Resort and Motel

The Glen Ayr Resort was the first hotel we stayed, and if you call and let them know you're diving with or doing a course with YSS they will offer you a 10% discount on your stay. They have some facilities for scuba gear and storage. They also have a hot tub, the hotel is clean and pleasant to stay in and we'd absolutely stay again if given the chance! 

The Sunrise Resort and Motel was a little more expensive but you get A LOT for what you pay for. We happened to get upgraded to their cottage they have on property and it was really impressive, and you can't beat the view! They're also building more facilities for changing rooms and SCUBA gear. What's excellent about both locations is you can dive right out their front door! Here are images from the Sunrise Motel and their cottage. I don't have pictures of their smaller rooms, but they're equally as nice. 

Thanks for stopping by! 

Bonaire De-Brief

 Bonaire 2024 De-brief

    I am trying to write more about our travels as a nice memory, to share with my readers if they want to do similar trips, and also for myself in the future when I prepare for the same trip, I can remember what's up (what did I pack that trip anyway?). This trip, for example, I was able to streamline my camera equipment so I brought less stuff even though my wife will continue to ask "did your underwater camera get bigger?" No, nope, no way, no idea what you're talking about! 

Where is Bonaire? 

It's a beautiful Island that is part of the Dutch Caribbean. Part of the ABC islands, it is known as a divers paradise with many shore diving options, its a place of freedom, with no schedules (unless you want one) and beautiful sunshine, it truly is a wonderful place to dive! It's a popular stop on some of the cruise ship lines. If you're a non-diver there are a few towns and activities to explore around the island although it does lack the topography of the other Caribbean islands. 

Where to stay

This is our second time to this beautiful island and we can't get enough of Buddy Dive resort. Your stay includes unlimited air fills and you can rent a vehicle to travel the island (I hope you know how to drive stick! Although automatic cars are an option they're more expensive and the majority of the fleet is manual transmission). It's no luxury resort however it's not a bad place to stay. There are other options as well: Check them out here! There are also airbnb options on the island, but you'll have to figure out the logistics of the car rental and SCUBA equipment/ air fills on your own! 

About the trip....

From the Dive log debrief of our 2025 trip 

Challenge #1 

I was so excited we got another shot at Bonaire. Some of the best photos people get are when they're familiar with their subject or reef. It allows you to really explore more when you've been to a certain location  multiple times. Underwater photography is my favorite thing and it helps when the water is 85 degrees and you're facing a tropical reef full of fish. So naturally, I was pumped to give Bonaire round II. Not everything went to plan however...I faced a few challenges this trip however, I came down with a mysterious illness (a cold? sinus infection? allergic reaction?) and it cost us a few days of diving. Luckily my wife is very flexible and we had a few very nice date days topside, it's never a bad place to be even if you're not diving. She's easy to please, one reason I married her! 

The days I was able to dive we started with a local guide to find sea horses, she found us about six individuals and I couldn't be more ecstatic about it. Everyone on the island says they haven't seen a frogfish, so I guess my frogfish dry spell continues (two in like 12 years, damn). Luckily I know a guy who can help me with that, I just gotta make it back to Florida one of these days. 

I was able to try out the macro to wide angle conversion lens that allowed me to shoot both macro and wide angle on the same dive! Very exciting stuff! Admittedly my dives felt very rushed because I didn't know how long my ears would let me equalize, I dove like every dive was my last for that trip. I don't feel like my photography was as magical as the first trip we did, but this was due to the relative lack of diving I was able to accomplish.

             A handsome longsnout seahorse hiding among the rope sponges. 

Challenge #2 

I was so excited to test out my Kraken KRL09s wide angle conversion lens. Even with all my testing prior to my trip my Tamron macro lens malfunctioned (they haven't updated their old lenses so communication issues with my Canon R5 occurred, the curse of modern technology). I was very frustrated however, photos still needed to be taken! I had to come up with some workarounds while I was there. Here is what I got:

Left: Shot with my wide angle conversion lens, I was able to frame this coral tree quite nicely in the sunlight. 

Super happy with how this photo came out! I only wish I was able to utilize this lens more! 

                                  A view of a soft coral growing on Salt Pier. 

Challenge #3

Our coveted and most favorite dive site Salt Pier was unavailable most of this trip. A ship was in dock for a few days, and then they were doing maintenance on the pier itself. We only had one good day to dive this site. It's our favorite spot because last year we saw at least five flamingo tongue there, one octopus, a boat load of bennies and I got one of my favorite shots of a trumpetfish ever from there. 

Successes from the trip: 

I had been focusing a ton on my physical fitness before the trip and it showed. I was very happy with my air consumption which was a personal goal. My wife will always kick my butt, she's like a fish evenjhough she grew up in Missouri! 

With Salt Pier being unavailable to us, what it did do was force us to explore other dive sites. We were NOT disappointed with places like 1,000 steps and dive sites like the invisibles. I found so many anemone shrimp at invisibles I was very pleased (this includes the squat anemone shrimp, a personal wishlist species). 

Another success was in teaching me flexibility and continuing to work on trouble shooting. We pivoted, still had a great time, soaked up some Caribbean sun. It won't be our last dive trip ever, so best you can do is enjoy it. 

Here were some of my favorite shots from this last trip:

These sharpness puffers were always chasing each other! 

This coney posed perfectly for this portrait

These snapper below salt pier gave me a great chance at new photography techniques. This is a rear curtain sync technique.

                           Feather worms are always really fun to photograph, they're so beautiful! 

At night the coral polyps are open and read for feeding. Gives really cool textures compared to daytime diving! 

Thanks for reading!

Did the Spotted Owl kill the lumber industry in Washington?

I write this hot on the heels of the first book I read in 2025, What an Owl Knows by Jennifer Ackerman (a must-read). With just enough science to keep me engaged and a wide variety of species covered, it inspired me as I prepare for my move to Washington State.

Clarification from where this blog topic came from: I've heard some crazy stuff pertaining to wildlife from people that are just not true. Everything from the myth that wolves wipe out elk populations and kill for fun (not true), sharks eat ALL the fish (definitely not true), and seals are the reason we have no more salmon (really? come on.). But a myth that I find really interesting is one I've run into while living in coastal Washington: " the spotted owl was the reason for the downfall of the lumber industry in Washington State."

I recently took a contract in Washington state, in an area that has been dominated historically by the lumber industry. This area has seen and left its heyday, much like other towns propped up by industries focused on non-renewable resource extraction.

Much like how the delta smelt is responsible for the fires in California (I am kidding of course, but some people think otherwise) many argue that the adorable spotted owl is responsible for ending the once prosperous lumber industry. Now very rare, the spotted owl inhabits old growth forests in the Pacific Northwest, and controversy around their protection has been argued to be one of the key factors to the collapse of the lumber industry throughout coastal Washington.

Owls and the federal government

Starting in the 1970s with the Endangered Species Act, the United States started paying more attention to the protection species that would quickly disappearing due to human impact. The spotted owl persisted across Washington, however removal of their key habitat (old-growth forests) was leading to their populations plummeting. Expansion of the barred owl has continued to impact populations. As a result, the federal government placed the spotted owl on the Endangered Species list, leading to a protection of their habitat. For loggers that are keen to old-growth forests, this new protection closed off a lot of land.

As a result, the myth was established that the spotted owl is to blame for the fall of the logging industry throughout the Pacific Northwest. This myth has persisted even today, with many arguing that this owl is the sole villain of the lumber industry -- and if we stopped protecting them, the lumber industry would come back.

Let's dive into a bit of history around Washington's lumber industry and see if this owl is the true culprit.

The truth is always more complicated.

Question: Aberdeen, Washington was booming lumber town, so what happened? 

1) Logging practices

Lumber in Washington has doomed for a long time. It's hard to say exactly when the decline started, but some sources point to the 1930's as the point in which Washington was experiencing diminishing timber resources when over-logging and environmental regulations reduced available timber. This made it harder for mills to operate profitably.

This area of Washington has had been logged since the 1840's, however the growth around the area was unsustainable. The lumber industry was cutting down old-growth forests, which can take 150-350 years to grow. Today, Old-growth forests are extremely rare in the United States, because of unsustainable lumber practices throughout the 1800s and early 1900s.

The wood from old-growth forests is highly desirable due to the quality of wood. These forests are home to some of the largest trees in the world, and are considered some of the best wood sources around, especially for building. However, "old-growth" is in the name. These forests take centuries to replenish. Simple math can easily point to how a centuries-long growth period is not a sustainable industry. This is especially true considering how this area was originally logged. Foresters would clear cut these precious forests, and very little was being restored with replanting. Additionally, this clear cut areas also led to increase fire risks, which also continues today (Yes, you read that right. Logging increases forest fire risk). By the 1970's, most of the forests around Aberdeen had been logged. Unsustainable practices of harvesting old-growth forests led to a diminished available area for resource-sourcing. As a result, sawmills in the area closed.

An example of old-growth forest from Australia (source: wikipedia)

2) Economic changes

Harvesting practices weren't the only factors at play. During the 1900s, fluctuations in the economy, including recessions and shifts in demand for lumber, negatively impacted local businesses. This "boom and bust" cycle has occurred multiple times in Aberdeen's history. It likely started after WWI, when the demand for wooden ships drastically declined.

This, combined with the Great Depression, drastically reduced the number of sawmills in Aberdeen. Later in the century, other recessions resulted in the decrease in new houses being built across the United States, furthering decreasing timber demand. The recession of the 1980's was one of these key declines in demand. By the 1990s, only a few of Washington's mills survived, however Aberdeen's last mill closed in 2005, due to high costs and continued competition globally. Simple capitalism came into play: the demand sunk and cheaper options were elsewhere.

3) Competition

Beyond logging practices and economic changes, Washington's logging industry also faced increased competition from other regions, particularly those with more abundant resources or lower production costs. This made it difficult for Aberdeen's mills to compete. Aberdeen faced competition from Canada (a huge timber exporter) and mills in Oregon.

The global market had a massive impact on lumber output in the US, especially in Washington. This has led to demand for timber to change in the United States, with a shift away from wood boards towards other wood products, such as pulp. Countries like China have also risen to meet our demand. This shift from domestic product to imports has led a decrease in demand domestically, negatively impacting towns that have centered their economies around one resource.

Guess what wasn't mentioned? Owls.

And there's more to the story.

Myth: Spotted owls are the reason the lumber industry crashed in Washington

Truth: Although environmental regulations did impact the lumber industry, overall the industry was in decline for decades due to a variety of factors both local and abroad. Unsustainable logging practices, economic shifts, and capitalism all had major roles to play. Much like other resource-based industries, Washington's lumber economy is a history rife with boom and bust cycles. The major shift to protect the owls didn't really happen until the late 80's early 90's, but it didn't help the industry recover.

Why does this myth persist?

Especially when it comes to economics, there’s a saying: Never come between a man and his money. In small rural towns like Aberdeen, where economic opportunities are often limited, a major industry shift can have serious consequences. This disruption breeds resentment, and as we’ve seen in modern-day debates—like the ongoing discourse around immigration in the United States—it’s easy to assign blame, even when it’s misplaced (spoiler: immigrants aren’t stealing your jobs). People gravitate toward a single scapegoat because it’s convenient and provides a sense of control. That’s not to downplay the hardships that come with losing a livelihood, and the challenges of changing professions, but the lumber industry has always been volatile, known for its cycles of boom and bust.

Ready for more?

I will continue writing a series of blogs on environmental topics, always striving to follow the data and set aside bias—but I’ll admit, I’m a nature lover first! I write these for three key reasons:

1. To advocate for nature, animals, and the world around us.
2. As a landscape and wildlife photographer, I believe it’s essential to be informed about the subjects I capture.
3. In 2025, our natural resources are once again under serious threat. It’s crucial to share accurate information so we can protect our precious environment to the best of our ability.

Learn more about spotted owls and the logging industry

Check out more from the USDA economics report:

https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/documnts/fplgtr/fpl_gtr170.pdf

Read more about spotted owls:

https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/species/strix-occidentalis-caurina 

Read more about Old Growth Forests:

https://www.oldgrowthforest.net/

Support Wild Olympics Campaign helping preserve our precious lands: 

https://www.wildolympics.org/