A physical education teacher with a budding enthusiasm for photography has captured the moment three bear cubs faced each other, stood atop their hind legs, almost appearing to hold hands like children in a playground.
The images are just one set captured by Valtteri Mulkahainen, who has spent the last six years taking pictures of wildlife in his native Sotkamo, Finland. While exploring the woods near the town of Martinselkonen, he noticed a bear appear with several cubs.
Recalling the experience to Bored Panda, Mulkahainen said:
The cubs behaved like little children. They were playing and even started a few friendly fights. I felt like I was on a playground in front of my house, where small children frolic around. That’s how much they reminded me of little children. At one point, the three of them got up on their hind legs and started pushing each other. It was like they were dancing in a circle.
He managed to find the perfect shelter, around 50 meters (164 feet) away from the scene. He says he struggled to tear himself away from what he was witnessing and ended up staying “all evening and all night.”
See more of Mulkahainen’s work at his Instagram or Facebook page.
All images Valtteri Mulkahainen and used with permission.