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Kodiak Brown Bears
Ursus arctos middendorffi
57.5474, -152.72
Spotting Video
Field Notes
Description:
The first photo is of a younger bear that came very close to us but just laid down on the ground a little ways away. I think it was hoping we would walk away from our fish and it could take it for a meal instead of hunting for it. I think the darker, slightly larger bear was its mother. Downstream, they stole a stringer full of fish from a group of fishermen. When we left, we watched from above and the sow was swimming in the middle of the river with her eyes under the water but her ears sticking out looking for fish, and popping up to breathe once in a while. Video: http://vimeo.com/289932684
Habitat:
At a remote river over an hour from the nearest paved road and not accessible by regular road vehicles. Red Salmon AKA Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) and Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) were running in this river when I took the photos.
Notes:
The first photo shows a young bear, probably a year or two old based on the size and the blonde head. Younger ones often have a lighter-colored head.
Second photo shows another bear that was darker and a bit larger, but still not very big. I think it was the first bear's mother. They stayed together for the couple hours we observed them.
Third photo shows the younger bear eating some salmon.
Fourth photo shows them fighting (not sure if it was play fighting or they were annoyed, but it wasn't a very rough fight).
Fifth photo shows the sow looking for a place to cross the river.
Last photo shows the large paws and lanky stature of the younger one.
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