Tag Archives: Grizzly Bears

Fall Grizzly Bears

grizzly bears in Glendale Raver

After August 24th we are permitted to use two viewing platforms on the Glendale river for our grizzly bear watching tours. This photo is from the first platform and shows nine bears (two on the right, three in the middle, two side by side to the left by the bush, one tight to the bank beside the bush and one down river). These grizzly bears are all here to catch the salmon as they move up the river to jump the weir and move into the man-made spawning channel. Viewing from a raised platform means that all photos are from above the bears. Most of our viewing is from the second platform which eliminates the metal weir in the photos but we use both if the bears are in only one area.

Bathtub Rest

Glendale River grizzly bears

The weir by the grizzlies feet is the entrance to the man-made spawning channel that is located next to one of the two viewing platform used after August 24th. This grizzly had been fishing on the other side of the weir when it decided to take a rest and climbed over the low barrier and relaxed.

August Grizzly Bear

grizzly waiting for salmon

Photo was taken August 27 and the grizzly bear is in the river waiting for the salmon. A little fatter than the bear in yesterdays post but still a long way from fat enough for hibernation. It is just the start of the salmon run so this mother and cub has two months to add the weight necessary for a successful hibernation. If you compare this photo with the post of August 16 it is another cub on a different rock trying to stay dry.

May Grizzly Bear

grizzly bear bc coast

It was the end of May and the first time we saw this grizzly bear along the shore of Knight Inlet. Bears may lose 15-30 % of their body weight during hibernation and this one appears to be closer to the 30% mark. The bears body frame is he same size as the weight is lost from the belly making it have very long legs. I had a guest several years ago say they look like “grizzly dogs” and the term is appropriate. This is a young bear so it was likely that it was not as fat as it could have been for hibernation but fat enough because it did survive.

Grizzly Mother’s Attention

grizzly bear cub

While waiting for salmon to move up river a grizzly bear visits her cub that is sitting on a rock trying to stay dry. First year grizzly cubs are to young for fishing and do not like to get wet unless absolutely necessary. This cub had been sitting for a while and started to make noises when mother came over to make sure all was OK before she returned to work.

Platform Grizzly Viewing

large grizzly bear

The viewing platform used on Knight Inlet’s Glendale River provide a slightly downward angle to the grizzly bears. In this case the grizzly was beneath the platform providing an excellent view of it’s claws. Over the years we have had return guests who had come at both times of the season and as of yet there is no agreement to which is best.

large male grizzly claws

 

Eye Level Grizzly

eye to eye grizzly bear

Watching a grizzly bear from our 5.5 meter (18 foot) flat bottom river skiff is different than from the viewing stands. On the Glendale River or along the shore of it’s bay you are at “eye-level” and often receive that direct eye to eye contact which is permissible at a distance. Close up it could be viewed as a threat so it is avoided. This is the viewing prior to August 25th when we move to the stands on the river. See tomorrows posts….

Grizzly Fishing Techniques 4 of 4

salmon in the Glendale River

This photo was taken about fifty meters (yards) down river from where the grizzly bears in yesterday’s post where standing. The water is a little deeper so fishing is harder but other grizzlies were managing to catch salmon. It is all in the technique and depends on the hunger of the grizzly.

Grizzly Fishing Techniques 3 of 4

grizzlies wait for salmon

This is the wait and they will come technique. After August 24th the grizzly bear watching is from a platform up the Glendale River. At this location the grizzlies pick off the salmon as the approach the weir into the spawning channel. These bears spent most of the morning waiting for the salmon to move up river rather than moving down to the salmon. See tomorrow….