Yes that is one of the viewing stands in the background. This mother grizzly bear and her two year old cubs are more interested is what is behind the bush in the water than the “grizzly bear watching tourists’ in the stands. They can’t quite see through, over or around the bushes but they know something is there. The something is the salmon which they can smell but more likely other bears in the river which they can also smell. Mother grizzly bears with cubs are always cautious.
Photographers always find a subject for a picture in this case a moon rises rather than a sunrise. The scenery in this part of Canada’s British Columbia’s coast is often overwhelming for our guests. As a guide I am frequently asked to stop for pictures that I take for granted but I realize that this is all new experience for our guests and memories are captured on film.
After August 25 our grizzly bear watching tours take place from the viewing stands. The stands are located on the Glendale River, which empties into British Columbia’s Knight Inlet. The salmon have arrived and are in the river and there is lots of wildlife beside the bears. Because of the abundance to salmon for food the grizzly bears often take a “time out” to play. These photos could have the captions: “Leave me alone” and a good right hook “Told you I used to box”. NOTE this is not one picture just posts that way!!
Most days on your whale watching safari we find stellar sealions. Although most pass through this part of BC’s coast on the way to and from Alaska in the spring and fall some do stay all summer. If we eat our picnic lunch in the area around Vancouver Island’s Telegraph Cove the sea lions often come to check us out so their picture is added to the bucket list.
Although most of the time the grizzly bears just ignore us at times the youngers bears do take and interest. In this case it is the grizzly bear doing the watching. You can see the edge of the viewing stand’s concrete footing. Don’t need a much of lens for these shots.
Photos from our Guides
The grizzly bear that remained took time to sit and study the situation of being “watched” but being young it got bored fast or maybe just an “itch” in need of a back rub. Every tour from the lodge has something different to offer.
We had a visit from two year old grizzly bear twins, just below (ten feet / 3 meters) the viewing stand. They were pretty friendly then one moved off to leave the other alone for a few minutes. It is not uncommon to have the grizzlies of all ages’ come close to the stands while we are watching them.
Morning and early morning at the lodge. First the “morning view” guests see when we call them for breakfast at 7:00 the second the view of a blue heron from the dock when the guides are getting the boats ready before we call the guests. Yes even as a guide I still look for the different photo after ten years (that is the average time the guides have been with the lodge). Clicking one a photo will enlarge for a better view.
“Maybe if I just lie here the fish will swim closer and LUNCH?” Could have been a hot day in late August and a good way to cool down. Do not see many fish in the water near this grizzly bear so the “cool down” is a good option. Bear watching is always interesting as their behaviour varies from day to day.
Just like that another season has come to an end. We are grateful for all the wonderful staff and the guests this season. It was an excellent season and we are already looking forward to next May.
One of the highlights of the season was all of the new cubs out. It was awesome to see so many new cubs of the year and that is great news for our bear populations moving forward. We had great spring viewing and this continued through summer. On our river trips we started to see salmon arriving in August and enjoyed some great shoulder season viewing. The fish at the viewing platforms were a little late showing up this year, but viewing during late September at the platforms was great and the estuary viewing remained strong throughout the season.
Out in the whale watching world it was another year that saw large numbers of resident Orca who remained in the area right into October. The Humpback viewing was also great with large numbers feeding in Blackfish Sound. It is so amazing to have these magnificent animals back in our waters in such numbers.
Over the winter and spring we will be doing some repairs and maintenance. We rebuilt the front deck last spring, utilising cedar cut on site. We will continue with some siding, rooms improvements and hopefully a floating sauna ready for the start of our season.
2026 is already looking like a very busy season for us. We only have limited high season availability so please book early to ensure we have space for your group.
Looking forward to seeing you next year
Angus Reid
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