Grizzly bear viewing, prior to August 25, takes place in Knight Inlet’s Glendale River estuary. We travel from the lodge for an hour and ten minutes to the estuary and then transfer to a flat bottom skiff that allows us to move up river in the shallow water. This photo taken on August 18 at low tide as this mother and cubs were walking across the mouth of the estuary next to the “in coming tide”…
Grizzly Bear and Wildlife Tour Blog
We offer an exceptional fly-in lodge for Grizzly Bear Watching and Whale Watching in British Columbia.
Learn about What’s happening at the Lodge, view our British Columbia’s Wildlife Report, read our Grizzly Bear Watching Blog and Whale Watching Blog. Learn more about a Day on the River Blog, see Our Tour Guide’s Photos & Blog and Photos from Our Guests.
Black Bears Foraging
Your guide often says, “Black bears are where you find them.” This means although we do a black bear tour on your first evening in the lodge we are constantly looking for black bears. Running up Knight Inlet on a grizzly bear tour, across to Thompson Sound on the extra day in the lodge or out to Johnstone Strait is search of orca and whales we are always watching the shore for bears. This mother and cub were on a whale watching safari and were cooperative enough to stay on the beach for over half an hour. As you can see the cub was in step with mother and followed her example.
Dolphins Do Like to Play
Pacific white-sided dolphins are found continuously throughout the north Pacific. In British Columbia, it is estimated that approximately 25,000 Pacific white-sided dolphins reside along our coast. These dolphins are opportunistic predators feeding on over 60 species of fish and 20 species of cephalopods. In BC, they feed on at least 13 different prey species, including salmon, herring, Pollock, shrimp, sablefish, smelt, and squid. They forage cooperatively, though large groups may separate into smaller sub-groups for foraging purposes. These feeding groups have been observed corralling and herding fish in a coordinated fashion. They are covered by the “Whales Watching Guidelines” in that we are required to keep back 100 meters (yards) while viewing, however they do not appear to read these guidelines and always want to play with the boat.
Curious Grizzly Bear 2 of 2
The viewing platform is in corner of the photo and the rock it was standing on in previous post is not far from the grizzly. The top of the railing is about four meters (12 feet) from the ground so you can judge how close the bear came before it passes under the stand.
Curious Grizzly Bear 1 of 2
Viewing the grizzly bears from the viewing stands after August 24th can be interesting. The vast majority of bears do not acknowledge our presence in the viewing platforms. But every once in a while there is that curious bear. This photo is a good close up of a grizzly but it is difficult to know how close until you see tomorrow post….
Fuel Delivery at Grizzly Bear Lodge
The morning sunrise turned into a beautiful day as we returned to the Lodge in time to watch fuel being pumped into our tanks. Diesel, gasoline and propane are delivered on a regular schedule. All groceries come in by plane or when staff returns from time off in town. There is no wasted room on the plane as it is the only way to get the fresh produce necessary for the camps famous meals and baking.
Uncommon Sunrise at Grizzly Bear Lodge
Once or twice a month we have a picturesque sunrise. Although this shows the possibility of some fog, the water is calm and the fog will be gone by noon. The front deck of Grizzly Bear Lodge does face the east and thus a potential sunrise, however we do have a layer of marine cloud that appears most evenings. This is not a bad thing as it makes for better picture taking than bright morning sun.
Surprise Killer Whale Viewing 2 of 2
…we were sitting in Blackney Pass and had lost contact with the orca. They had been diving and changing direction for close to half an hour when they surfaced very close to our boat. As a guide luck often trumps skill.
Planned Killer Whale Viewing 1 of 2
On this day we waited about fifteen minutes for the orca to pass this close for some good photos. While on another day….
Always looking for Black Bears 2 of 2
Black bears come in more colours than any other North American mammal. They can be black, brown, cinnamon, blond, blue-gray, or white. This brown “black bear” is one of two that has been viewed in our area for the past two years. And no we do not have the spirit or white bear in our area, they are much further north.
