Wednesday, July 25, 2012

katmai bears 20 july


one of the highlights of our journey was planned way before we even left texas.  we had made one reservation on this entire trip and that was to visit the salmon eating brown bears (also known as the grizzly bear) along the brooks river at brooks falls in katmai national park.  katmai is nearly 300 miles south of anchorage, around the size of wales and designated mostly wilderness.  the worlds largest brown bear population is found here, roughly 2,000 along with 14 active volcanoes.

the day started with an early 5 mile bike ride from mary and andrew’s to rust’s flying service located just north of anchorage’s international airport on lake hood, the worlds busiest seaplane base with ~190 flights/day.  there we met our pilot, dale, a 38 yr veteran pilot who hails originally from montana.  our plane mates were astrid and pascal, a young couple on vacation from switzerland, on their way to visit the same bears in katmai.  i'll let the photos do the talking....here is our day...

our plane

astrid, pascal and aly
heading to katmai





our 1st bear...in camp...we hadn't even gotten on the trail
our 1st fishing bear

this guy is HUGE

each has his own spot and is waiting for the salmon to swim upstream
that water is COLD!


this bear started towards the fishermen as one of them had a fish on his line...he had to release the fish...once the fish was gone, the bear took off towards the falls for fishing himself
chasing salmon in the water


















looking for fish




and yet still looking







ah ha!  finally caught one


a little skirmish letting the other know this is his fishing spot


needless to say, the bear on the left kept his spot

he's had a few fights
look at those claws






fishing from the top or the bottom of the falls

it's better down below
the bears behind aly...maybe 30 yards to the middle of the river

we had our mosquito nets up for the camera


sleeping standing up after a long day of fishing
mama comes with her 3 cubs for a bit of fishing



look how cute
she tells them to stay while she goes out fishing

and she means STAY!
off she goes
















they will learn someday
so they climb to safety


















she returns and off they go fish-less

















that is mom's claw

WOW!
our plane home after ~3 hours walking through the forest and visiting brooks falls

the plane before ours, taking off
sights on the way home

lots of glaciers




and glacial lakes--look at the beautiful water color


and rivers

and swamps
and finally back to anchorage...



















we had been gone all day...from 8am until 5pm.  it was a 2.5 hour trip down, about 3 hours with the bears and about 3 hours back to anchorage...

what a GREAT day!  we feel very lucky to have seen so many bears...we probably saw a dozen during the day and will cross this off our bucket list!  wow!  highly recommended!!


4 comments:

  1. Aly, this looks incredible! I've loved seeing all your pictures, but wow; the plane and the bears and everything--I'm so very glad you two are getting this time. Thanks for taking the time to share it with us land-locked people. It's really wonderful to get to see some of what you're seeing!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Awesome pics, Aly. So jealous though now I just want to ride my motorcycle up there and see it for myself, but your pics makes it feel like I have been there. So pretty, God truly is amazing in His works of art. Thanks for sharing and have a continued safe trip!! Brenda

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ali and Buddy -- somehow I had missed your blog -- thanks for the message which reconnected me to all your wonderful adventures!!! Would love to see the bears, glaciers and Alaska, but it probably won't happen in this lifetime...so wonderful to share your adventures! Hannah

    ReplyDelete
  4. Absolutely amazing - now I want to make a trip to Alaska (along with how many other trips I want to make? Haha, the wanderlust never quits). Still haven't visited you in Texas!! I don't suppose a mountain bike works in these areas :). The bear pictures are fantastic. Hope I finally get to see you guys! Bob from Manila

    ReplyDelete