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.

Grizzly Bears Fatten for Hibernation

Two Grizzly Eating

“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

Visiting Humpback Whale

 

“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

Eagle in the fog

 

 

 

Bald Eagle in Tree“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

Bluse Heron

“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

Grizzly Eating Salmon

“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

Salmon

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.

 

Grizzlies Fiahing in Knight Inlet

Grizzly with a salmon

Lynn’s comment:   “Just caught that Salmon!! It was fascinating watching the bear’s fish. We couldn’t believe how many Salmon those bears caught and ate.  They just kept eating!  The river was just like a soup of Salmon.”
The grizzly bear watching day takes you on a ride up Knight Inlet to Glendale River. After August 24th the viewing takes place from the stands, which overlook he, entrance to the man made spawning channel. This is where the grizzlies come to fish, eat and fatten for the winter. For “salmon soup” see tomorrow’s post.

 

Fly in Lodge – from Campbell River

View from Airplane

As Lynn of the UK says “Stunning views of beautiful Knights Inlet from the float plane. We were so sad to leave after an unforgettable few days. We will be back!!”  A view of coastal British Columbia’s scenery is part of the bonus of flying into Grizzly Bear Lodge.  There are many “TV” shows about flying over England, Ireland, Canada etc. ours is included and in the 45-minute flight from Campbell River.

 

Extra Day at Trapper Rick’s

Knight Inlet BC

Bob and Helen chose to spend an extra day in camp.  That day we cross Knight Inlet travel through Thompson Sound (the location of the above photo) to the Kakweikan River and spend a day with Trapper Rick.  And yes the water is normally that calm on the way to Rick’s as in Thompson Sound the wind travels across the sound and not its length. The Kakweikan River is located on the BC mainland and once we reach the river mouth we travel by road to Rick’s cabin. The day allows for short hikes, salmon fishing on the river, scenic photography, time at Rick’s cabin, as well as looking for some grizzly bears.