Grizzly Bear and Wildlife Viewing Blog: Yearly Archives: 2016

First Grizzly Viewing Stand

stand for watching grizzlies

June 4th mentions the viewing stands we use. There are two stands on a Knight Inlet river. The first is located directly opposite the entrance to the man made spawning channel. If you take the time to go to to “Categories” and select “Wildlife Tour Itinerary” on the left side of this posting you will have an excellent aerial view of our viewing area. The metal weir in this photo is to maintain the water level for the spawning salmon. We normally use the second stand as it has a more natural setting as tomorrow’s post will show….

Grizzly Eating Sedge Grass

Knight Inlet grizzly bear grazing

This grizzly bear was about two hundred meters (yards) from the loading ramp in yesterday’s post. It was not concerned as we moved slowly along the shore and made our way back to the dock for lunch. It was taking a break from chasing salmon on the river as the tide was to low and the salmon were just out of reach in the deeper pools. Once the tide rose some the bear was back on the river as the salmon were able to move up the river to the spawning areas.

Returning from the Grizzly Viewing Stands

returning from grizzly viewing stand

We are permitted to use the grizzly bear viewing stands on the Glendale River after August 24th. Our viewing time is from 10:00 am to noon and after that we return to the float for a picnic lunch. Prior to this date the skiff is used to cruse the shore of Knight Inlet’s Glendale Cove and to go up the river itself. On this day we took a detour along the shore to view the grizzly in tomorrow’s posting….

Bald Eagle – Tidal Island

BC bald eagles drying

Low tide after a rain and the bald eagles come out of the trees to dry. On these small rocky outcrops eagles get sun from all sides and it is easy to turn to take advantage of the warmth. In a tree it is warm on on side and damp on the other.

Eagle or Humpback Whale?

wildlife in British Columbia

Yes that is the spotlight on the bow of our boat. The goal was the bald eagle flying our way that was about to come down on to the herring ball where the ducks are located. The eagle was a little slow as the humpback came up for lunch. When photographing eagles, orca, whales, seal, sea lions, dolphins or any other “wildlife” it is best to adopt the boy scout motto and “Be prepared.”.

Let Me Fish!!

mother grizzly discipline cubs

This grizzly bear was becoming annoyed with her second year cubs. She was in the holding pool directly below our viewing platform trying to catch salmon but the cubs were not giving her enough room to work. A couple of “growls” and the cubs moved off and mom was successful and able to share her catch.

Bald Eagle Success

bald eagle fish in claws

Always a challenge to get a good picture of an eagle coming down to pick a fish out of the water. Even rarer to get a picture of a successful eagle with a small fish in it’s claws. Glen (one to the guides at Grizzly Bear Lodge) has developed that skill to a high level and provides another good photo.