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HALIBUT AND EALGES AND BEARS…OH MY!
by Rena Harris on August 09, 2010 |
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HALIBUT AND EALGES AND BEARS…OH MY!
As we walked along visiting all the shops on the Homer Spit Boardwalk, there was a sign out near the road that offered Bear Watching – Standby for $399….of course the curious part of me had to go to the shop and ask – Standby? Yep – there might be a couple spots left on the next day plane to Brooks River to see the Bears up close and personal…$399? Yep – standby…if you want to confirm – the rates run about $575 per person. A little rich for my blood this time, because I really wanted to go – no sooner do I get home, however, and one of my colleague’s clients having just returned shared her story of the Brooks River Bear visit – with Evelyn’s permission – I’m letting you read her story.
July 7, 2010-Wednesday- Homer, Alaska
Today is bear tour day. What a day. We left home (the RV) for the plane at around 8 AM. It is 49 degrees and raining. We are flying with Bald Mountain Air to the Brooks River Falls (Katmai National Park). We waited for all to arrive, had a briefing and left around 9:20 AM. We went out in two float planes as each plane holds 10 people and the pilot. The first 40 minutes of flight were over water. Then we started through the mountain pass and had to turn back due to the pass being socked in. We arrived at the Visitors Center, Brook Falls and River around 11 AM. We went into the shop and waited until the next briefing from the Park Ranger-required to be able to see the bears. After this we had a quick lunch which we had taken with us, donned our rain pants as it was sprinkling, left our backpack with the rest of the food in the food shed and started walking. The day warmed up, the sun came out and the rain stopped and the weather turned out great. We got near the bridge to cross the river and had to wait as a bear was in the area. We then had to move back as one was coming and was going to walk right where we had been standing. He was really big. We finally were able to cross the bridge over the Brooks River and go on to Brooks Falls. The walk was about 1.2 miles to get to the viewing platform overlooking the falls and the river. We saw bears. The larger bears are near the falls as they dominate. Cinnamon (an older bear with a crooked jaw—he was the one the help and the rangers bet would not be back as he is old, but here he was). Another lighter brown bear on the falls was missing an ear indicting his battles for dominance and a place on the falls.
There were younger bears in the river right in front of us. There was also a bear in the grass and we did not see him until he stood up. One of the bears in the river caught a salmon but went to the other side in the grass to eat it. He came back out and resumed fishing. The bears dive in the water to try to catch salmon, they hold their head under water looking and many times sit on the rocks to observe. The same bear that had caught a salmon earlier caught another and this time walked right toward the viewing platform. We got good pictures. He then went into the grass to eat it. We got a couple of pictures. When he went back to the river another bear got out of the water and came to do clean-up of any remaining tidbits of salmon. We were able to get some good pictures of this bear. At one time he looked up and I got a close-up of his face. What fun. We were on the viewing platform about 2 hours. We then left to go back to the platform near the river. There was a lot of activity here. We saw 7 bears at one time. They were splashing and chasing fish. The ranger said that one Sow had 3 cubs with her (the cubs were 3 years old which was unusual—they are usually on their own at 2 years). We had a couple of bears amble down the river on the other side and one that came near the viewing platform. They are fun to watch. Got some more good pictures. Some people were fly fishing-catch and release only. Every time they got a fish on they had to hurry to try get in as bears were heading our way.
We got back across the bridge as it was time to head to the plane. When we were near one of the buildings we heard bears growling. We did not know where they were at. A ranger came and motioned us to go back as they were just off the path directly ahead of us and fighting about a salmon. We waited for about 15 minutes and one of the bears gave up on getting the other bears fish and both wandered off. We then went to get our food, have a snack and head to the plane. We left around 4:10 PM and were able to fly through the pass. We had mountains on both sides of us higher than we were flying. It rained and there were some clouds. This did not stop us from seeing some beautiful scenery. The water of the North Pacific was rough as it was windy so we did not see any whales. We got back to Beluga Lake in Homer around 6 PM. This is something we would not have done if it had not been a gift. Now that we have done it we would go back. It would be fun to stay in the Brooks Lodge which is right among the bears. I understand that it is very pricy and booked at least a year ahead. You would also have to get on a charter plane to get out there. Probably next time.
The control of the food and the rule that “The Bears Rule-we are in their territory” has kept this area to be available for the viewing. It is amazing and much different than Yellowstone Park where the bears know that humans mean food. When out in the area with the bears you have to remember that these can be dangerous animals but we felt completely safe. In fact, you have a tendency to forget that they can be fierce animals.
What a wonderful day.
And what an incredible story – so I’m sure you’ve guessed it – the next trip to Alaska for me includes a trip on the plane to Katmai National Park to view the bears! Another colleague of mine and I did go bear watching in Haines, Alaska once, only saw mom and two cubs from a distance on the other side of the river (which was ok they were on the other side – but would have been nicer to be a little more closer)
Besides all of the wildlife adventures – Homer is home to lots of hiking, bird watching, sea kayaking, tide pooling, biking, art tours, and lots of shopping or just visiting the historic town center. They also have several wineries and breweries to visit. And lets not forget the Center for Alaskan Coast al Studies! With the help of a guide, you can discover an array of marine life exposed by receding tides, learn about plants as you hike through a costal forect sand much more. You can also go kayaking stay overnight in Yurts, and wake up in time to explore the world under the docs during the Creatures of the Dock tour……
Homer, well it is a destination that screams for a few weeks to see it all, do it all.
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