All posts by Lodge Guide
Grizzlies Share Bounty
Grizzly bears are omnivores, and their diet can vary widely. They may eat seeds, berries, roots, grasses, fungi, deer, elk, fish, dead animals and insects. In the late summer and early fall, grizzlies enter hyperphagia, a period of 2-4 months when they intensify their calorie intake to put on weight for winter denning. During this time period they can gain more than three pounds a day! Because of their diet grizzly bears have long claws between 3 and 5 inches, which are used for digging, picking fruits, catching prey and this case for holding salmon for their cub. Thanks to Lindy Taylor for another great picture.
Grizzly Cub Waiting
Not all grizzly bears enjoy the water especially the first year cubs. In the spring along the shore of Knight Inlet the mother grizzlies often have a hard time coaxing the cubs into the water. At times we have seen them swim away form the cubs forcing them into the water. This cub is about nine months old and still prefers to stay dry while waiting for mother to provide food. Tomorrow’s post shows that food.
Grizzly Bear Enjoying a Salmon
Great photo from Lindy Taylor of a Grizzly Bear having just caught a salmon and looking for a safe place to eat. The abundance of salmon in the area reduces the fighting between grizzlies but it pays to be cautious. Most bears just move to the bank of the river to eat however some use one of the many rocks located in the river. It is estimated that there are between 45 and 50 grizzlies that come to the Glendale River to take advantage of the salmon that spawn in late August through October.
Grizzly Bears Fatten for Hibernation
“Grizzly bears feeding on Salmon. Photo taken from the viewing platform.”
Lynn is correct that the grizzly bears seems to have the catching and eating part down pretty good. Some grizzly become selective in what part of the salmon they will eat. Some prefer only the eggs, others the brain or skin and others “everything”. The parts they tend to eat often are determined by how close they are to hibernation.
Humpback Whale for Lunch
“This photo was taken as we sat in the boat with George having lunch in the Inside Passage.
I can only describe this as the most perfect setting I have ever had lunch in. Beautiful perfectly calm sea, stunning scenery and total silence, but for the sound of the Humpbacks surfacing & blowing SO close to the boat.
Yet more Humpbacks near the boat!!”
Lynn is right but the key to “great pictures” is patience. On our whale watching day we often sit and have lunch in the same areas that the humpback whales are feeding. By being still in one area (motors turned off) we pose no threat or danger and end up with some incredible memories.
Eagle Watching While Whale Watching
“Bald Eagle watching us from a nearby tree. We saw many Bald Eagles during our time at Grizzly Bear Lodge, but they were so difficult to photograph!! George maneuvered the boat into the perfect position for us to take this photo.
This photo just sums up the beauty and tranquillity of Knights Inlet – the flat calm water, kelp and a bald eagle on a small island in the early morning mist. Just stunning!!”
I may move the boat but the credit for the photos goes to Lynn.
Great Blue Heron at Grizzly Bear Lodge
“Early morning from Grizzly Bear Lodge. We were in total awe of the beauty of the scenery and the silence – this place is just stunning. The staff, the location, the food – everything was just perfect!
We captured this stunning photo of a Great Blue Heron just by chance as we stood on the jetty waiting for our boat to take us to the Bear viewing platform. The scenery in the early morning mist was just stunning.”
Thank you, Lynn for the compliment although we do try hard we cannot take credit for the scenery.
Grizzly Bear Enjoying Lunch
“Bears, bears everywhere. Amazing to see the bears swimming and so relaxed so close to the viewing platforms. This photo was taken from the viewing platform, giving us a good panoramic view of the Bear activity!”“Having a swim and eating lunch at the same time!” As Lynn indicates the viewing platform used by Grizzly Bear Lodge provides a view of the natural river as well as the entrance to the spawning channel. Grizzly bears spend time fishing in both areas the choice depends on the number of bears in the area as well as the concentration of salmon.
Salmon waiting to spawn
The entrance to the spawning channel is directly below the viewing stand used by the lodge after August 24th. The salmon wait in this area before they proceed over the weir which is the entrance to the man made channel that was built to increase the success of the pink salmon’s spawning in Knight Inlet’s Glendale River.
