Tag Archives: Grizzlies

Spring Grizzly Bears

viewing grizzly bears Knight Inlet

Grizzly bear watching from late May until August 24th occurs along the shore of Knight Inlet and most often in Glendale Cove and on the River. We travel up the inlet to the cove and transfer to a 5.5 meter (18 ft.) flat bottom skiff we use to move along the shore and up the river with a rising tide. Grizzlies are on the shore turning over rocks for the crab, clams, barnacles, amphipods and other tiny invertebrates. In the river they graze on the sedge grass and dig up roots. In all of this time they are waiting for the salmon to arrive. On this day we have five grizzlies, one in the water looking for salmon, and four on the bank digging and grazing. The first half of the season tends to be eye level viewing whereas that changes in tomorrow’s post.

Grizzly Family

grizzly bear familyThis is to be a grizzly bear family that is together for it’s third summer. It is one of the cubs that caught the salmon the mother is on the right. Not sure what has her interest as we were sitting in our skiff about forty meters in front of the cub with the salmon. Actually the guests were in the skiff I was sitting on the bow of the boat holding it in place on the river. The grizzlies did turn and cross the river to eat the salmon but also came back to catch several more while we watched from front row seats. The only time we got their attention was when I stood up to move the skiff away from their fishing area and the mother stopped and looked our way. I sat down and she went back to fishing. We are part of the background as long as we play by the rule – Do not move.

Interesting and Tempting?

grizzlies and deer grazing

The sedge grass is about a meter (yard) tall and with the rising water the grizzly bear is likely standing in water up to its belly. Footing along a river bank is quite slippery and more so in water while the deer is one leap from solid footing. But even on dry ground we frequently see grizzlies and black tailed deer feeding side by side. The chance of a grizzly bear catching deer is so low it is not worth wasting the energy trying.

A Very Rare Bear Photo

grizzly bear nurse three cubs

This photo provided by a guest is the only time I have seen a grizzly bear nursing in such an open area. Often they will be in the taller grass or in the driftwood up the beach where photos “suggest” that they are nursing. This is pretty clear and the guests know it was special as we reminded them often enough.

Grizzlies in the Water 1 of 2

grizzly bear swimming

It is not uncommon to have a grizzly bear swimming in the waters of Knight Inlet’s Glendale Cove where we do most of our grizzly bear tours. It is less common to have them enter the water and swim toward the boat and then along the shore. On this day the closeness was for a reason as will be seen in tomorrow’s post….

Not Looking 2 of 2

grizzly bear belowMission accomplished. This sub-adult grizzly passed directly beneath the viewing platform and received no complaints from my guests. It is not everyone that can say they were two meters (six feet) above a grizzly bear’s back and could have jumped onto the back (but only once).

Not Looking 1 of 2

grizzly passingGrizzly bears avoid direct eye contact as this may be perceived as a challenge or threat. This bear is walking toward our viewing stand and wants to pass close by so it avoids eye contact by looking down. It is aware of our presence but we are in a raised platform which makes the bear uncomfortable and it just wants to pass. As it does in the next post…

Extra Day at Grizzly Bear Lodge 2 of 2

grizzly and cub with salmonThis mother grizzly with the salmon and her cub are about 50 meters (yards) across the river acting natural – fishing. The guests most often comment that this experience is much different than viewing grizzlies on Knight Inlet’s Glendale River the location of our primary grizzly viewing. First is that you are not in a skiff on the river or a viewing stand overlooking the spawning channel. Your are sitting across a river from a grizzly and if it choose could cross the river. Second there is Rick who has spent close to thirty years with these bears. They know his voice and respond in a calm manner when they hear Rick talking to them. If they are walking up river to where you are sitting Rick will stand and start talking as we back off to another location. The bears do not turn and run rather they continue toward you to complete their task and you get to watch them fish.

Extra Day at Grizzly Bear Lodge 1 of 2

guests grizzly watchingOn the extra day in camp we spend the day on a river located on the BC mainland.After crossing Knight Inlet we travel through Thompson Sound to the Kakweikan River and spend the day with Trapper Rick. We travel via old overgrown logging roads to Rick’s cabin which is about two kilometres (miles) from the mouth of the river. In this photo Rick and four guests are sitting near the falls which is a natural fishing area for grizzlies. Not hard to find Rick in this photo and tomorrow’s post will show what has their interest….

Grizzly Mother Sharing?

grizzly bear and cubsThis photo also directly below the viewing platform shows a mother grizzly bear NOT wanting to share a salmon with her first year cubs. The number one priority of a grizzly with first year cubs is her own health. If she does not have sufficient body fat she will not be able to nurse and this reduces the survival rate. Once that issue has been achieved the sharing will start and every one will be happy (especially the guest I had who thought this was not a very good mother).