Tag Archives: grizzly

Curious Grizzly Bear 1 of 2

curious grizzly bearViewing 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….

Extra Day on the River 5 of 5

grizzly looking for salmonAs this photo shows this mother grizzly was aware of our presence but it’s “comfort zone” was intact as it went about looking for a meal. We spent about fifteen minutes with this grizzly and the experience the guests had was memorable.

Extra Day on the River 4 of 5

fish ladder.. the mother and cub walked up the path we had just walked and stepped out on to the ladder to look for salmon. Rick does know “his” bears and has learned that if we respect them and give them the room they need we all benefit.

Extra Day on the River 3 of 5

grizzly watching area… to another viewing area overlooking the salmon ladder. I known the guests were not happy about the move as it seemed we were never going to get good pictures of a grizzly. But the waiting in the new location had its advantages. We were about 20 meters (yards) above the salmon ladder when…

Walking the trails with Trapper Rick 13 of 20

grizzly bear tracks	fishing with grizzly bearsThere are grizzly bears on Rick’s river and we do view them on a regular basis. The trails we use to travel along the river are also used by the grizzlies as this photo shows. And if you look under Ricks left arm holding the salmon he is not carrying a camera in a shoulder holster.

Grizzly Bear Comfort Zone 7 of 20

grizzly bear lookinggrizzly chesks boatGrizzly bears like people have a comfort zone and if you move into that zone they let you know. First you get the “look” which may be followed with what appears to be a yawn. If you do not withdraw you might hear a clicking of teeth. As guides we have the “Leave them the way you find them rule.” We want to be able to return day after day to view bears and having them leave the beach is not good.

Another Source of Protein 6 of 20

grizzly siblings foragegrizzly eating musselsAlso along the shore are two more sub-adult grizzlies siblings. These siblings will stay together for four or five years. If one is female they will separate when she first comes into season. This two bears are working on another source of protein – mussels. As the photo shows the grizzlies use their claws to scarp the mussels off the rocks and eat them with the shells. When the tide is higher they have to be content grazing on the sedge grass.

Grizzly Cub Watching? 5 of 20

Grizzly cub on alertGrizzly bear cubs are much more curious than their mothers. This cub has noticed our boat even though we try to be quite the boat is made of aluminium and can be noisy. Mother is food orientated and has been in the estuary a number of years to know we are not a threat. Her and the cubs only threat is the male grizzlies and they come from the tree line and not the water.

First Year Grizzly Bear Cubs 4 of 20

Knight Inlet Grizzly bear cubsThe advantage of the spring tours are the first year cubs. Grizzly bear cubs are born in the den in January or February so these cubs on the beach are five months old. They change quickly from he cuddly “teddy bears” to miniatures of their mother. Although still nursing they are also eating solid foods and rely on their mother to turn over he larger rocks.