Grizzly Bear and Wildlife Viewing Blog: Yearly Archives: 2016

Wilson’s Phalaropes

bird watching photo

Phalaropes are the only shorebirds that regularly swim in deep water. Every year in late summer, migrating Wilson’s Phalaropes put on an amazing show as enormous flocks pass through our area. There they spin round and round in the nutrient-rich waters, creating whirlpools that stir up invertebrates that will fuel their migration to South America. The flocks of birds dart about as if following a choreographed programmed flight. And yes many of the “birders” that visit Grizzly Bear Lodge want pictures.

Killer Whale Eye Patch

killer whales / orca surface

The most popular theory is that orca eye-spots protect their actual eyes by providing a false target (prey animals will often attack the eyes of their predators). But then if they did not have the eye patch it wouldn’t it be harder to find the eyes? Some scientists believe that the eye-spots might help other orca recognize body orientation in dark or murky water. The reason is not the important part but the fact that lodge guests want pictures of the orca’s eye spot as they surface is important. It is harder than one might expect as orca do not give much of a warning when they plan to surface.

Slow Grizzly Bear Cubs 2 of 2

mother grizzly waiting

First year grizzly cubs are not overly fond of getting wet. They are often viewed sitting on logs on the river bank, on rocks in the middle of a fishing hole or slowly following their mother. This mother plans to go fishing in the deeper part of the river which means the cubs will need to swim if they want their share of the catch.

Slow Grizzly Bear Cubs 1 of 2

grizzly bear cubs follow mother

These two first year grizzly cubs were taking their time as they walked the gravel bar next to the viewing stands we use on a Knight Inlet river. They had just crossed a small stream to get to the gravel bar and were not looking forward to what their mother had planned next…

Second Plane Arriving at Grizzly Bear Lodge

float plane with guests

Few seaplanes seat eight guest comfortably so we normally have two planes bring guests into Grizzly Bear Lodge from Campbell River. This also provides us with room for the “always” necessary groceries. As you can see there are groceries from the first plane stacked near the end of the dock and luggage waiting with guests to be placed on the second plane that is nearing the dock. For many of the guests this is their first experience flying in a float plane and the reviews are mixed but I would say they are overwhelmingly positive.

Four Grizzly Bears?

grizzly bears share fishing

This is the case when grizzly bears respect each others comfort zone. The head in the lower right corner belongs to a very large female which is not a threat to the mother and cubs but they still have their own fishing areas. The single grizzly dominated the better fishing area near the entrance to the spawning channel while the mother and cubs caught all the salmon they needed a little lower on the river. The abundance of salmon in this area means there is little need to fight and therefore less chance of an injury that could reduce the ability to catch salmon. It is all about fattening for hibernation and fighting is counter productive.

Grizzly Bear Coat Colour

grizzly bear coat colour

“The coat of an individual bear may change colour during the year, with the new coat in summer a dark rich brown, while the worn coat becomes tawny or reddish brown. The winter fur is thicker and coarser than the summer fur and appears shaggy. During summer the old inner fur and guard hairs are shed; by autumn there is a fully developed coat, with guard hairs about 10 cm long, underfur about 8 cm long.” This explains the coat on this bear which appears to be in transition form a summer to winter coat. In our grizzly viewing area we have notice that the coats will darken after the grizzlies have been feeding on the oil rich salmon.

From Grizzly Bear Lodge’s Front Deck

sunrise

This photo is much harder to get than one of a grizzly bear. Although the sun does rise every morning it is often behind the layer of cloud that hangs over BC’s Knight Inlet. By mid-morning the clouds have burned off but it is past sunrise time. Actually while on the whale watching tours it is nice to have a little cloud cover as it is better for photos than the bright sun reflecting off the water.

Bald Eagles Feeding

wildlife tour watching bald eagles

The herring ball mentioned in the May 14th is an ideal place for bald eagles to feed. The summer of 2015 on the BC coast was a summer with an abundance to eagles. This photo was one chosen from a group that had over thirty eagles feeding in one area. Two of the eagles without the white heads (means they were born this summer) are learning to pick herring out of the water. They follow one of their parents on a diving run and copy their technique hoping for success.

Grizzly Mother and Cubs Foraging in the River

grizzly bear and cubs fishing

It is after August 24th and we are watching grizzly bears from the viewing stands on Knight Inlet’s Glendale River. This mother with larger cubs than yesterday’s post is waiting for salmon to move into the shallow water. About 20 meters (yards) to this bear’s left is a school of several thousand salmon in a holding pool. The pool is two meters deep which makes it hard to catch the salmon so the grizzlies wait for them to move up the channel over the weir to the spawning area. The approach to the weir is shallow and a good place to fish.