19 Winning Photos From Nat Geo's 2016 Nature Photographer Contest That Will Inspire Your Next Trip

"A solitary bear sits on the edge of Barter Island, Alaska. There is no snow when, at this time of year, there should be. The locals in Kaktovik noted that it's been an unseasonably warm Winter, and that the ice will be late in forming this year. This will have an impact on the local polar bear population when it comes time to hunt seals for their food in the Winter months."