Tag Archives: bear watching

Ravens and Bears

The relationship between Ravens and Bears is an interesting one. Both crows and ravens are commonly seen near Black and Grizzly Bears. The reason for this is simple, easy food. Often bears will leave scraps of fish, mussels or other food sources. It some cases we may see ravens on a river, but no bear. Often with a little patience the bear will emerge behind a log or rock. The birds tend to sit above the bear whenever possible, swooping in when they have an opportunity for easy food. Much like the gulls in the strait indicating where marine life may be, the ravens can help us find the bears.

Grizzly Cub Peek-a-Boo

This photo was taken on our river trip.  We were lucky to have a mother bring her cub through the yard while we sat quietly and watched.  The mother was very relaxed as she stopped to forage on some grass.  They cub took a moment to do a bit of “people watching” before continuing to feed with her mother.

Black Bear On the Bluff

We always keep our eyes open for Black Bears cruising the beaches at low tide.  Sometimes it also pays to look up.  Black Bears are much sleeker then Grizzlies and have short claws, which makes them excellent climbers.  In the late summer there are often salal berries growing on the rocky outcroppings, which the bears enjoy.


Close Approach

This is the second photo that Rainer was kind enough to send to us

 

 

 

 

“VERY close approach, raising our pulse rates”

Seeing a Grizzly Bear on land is an experience that few people ever forget.  There is something special about being on the same level as these amazing animals in a safe, yet very much wild situation.

Rainer Beck, Bornheim, Germany

Another Successful Season Comes to an End

Another season has passed and it is time to start putting things away for the winter months.  The grizzly and black bears are putting on last minute calories in preparation for their hibernation and the humpback whales are starting to head for their breeding grounds.  Joe and I towed the dock out of Glendale Cove the other day and were blessed with an absolutely beautiful October day in Knight Inlet.

Black Bear Pt1

Black Bears are a common sight in our area.  Unlike the Grizzly Bears they do not congregate in great numbers around the salmon rivers.  They would if they could, but the Grizzlies are the more dominant bear and push the Black Bears out.  Black Bears are smaller and have short, very sharp claws that allow them to climb trees with ease.  Grizzly’s long, curved digging claws prevent them from climbing, except as young cubs.

Black Bear Cub Standing

Thanks to Warren for this picture of a black bear cub standing.  Bears are curious animals and rely on their acute sense of smell.  Often bears will stand up to get a better look and more importantly a better sniff of what’s around them.

black bear

Grizzly Bears Diving for Salmon

I took this video up at the viewing platforms in late August.  The viewing was great and there are a ton of pink salmon in the pool.  Bears normally do not like to put their ears underwater when looking for salmon.  This year, however we saw a huge increase in “diving bears”

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