ZOOM in on this Google photo and look around first. Look for details,then come back and read on.
Many see a beautiful picture here and get lost in the scenery. I've done it many times sitting in these wild Alaska places. However, there is a MUCH bigger PICTURE here many don't see.
Many see a beautiful picture here and get lost in the scenery. I've done it many times sitting in these wild Alaska places. However, there is a MUCH bigger PICTURE here many don't see.
Let me shed a little light on it for you.
The male in the foreground was wandering back to one of his
favorite spots just ahead of him. Over the years many bear have used this spot
and you can look at the bank and confirm its wear from the bears using it. If you
look closer you will see the river dumps into the ocean bay here and that means
it is loaded with salmon as the tide comes in- a perfect spot! Generations of
these bears know that.
When you look up ahead as he is doing, you'll notice another
bear is in his favorite fishing hole. He no doubt spotted that bear back down
the river but came on up anyway to size 'em up. Problem is, it's a female and
worse yet, she has a cub. You can see his head just to the left of the male's
head and the cub already has his eye on the big male too!(Zoom in) These cubs know
that males will kill them in order to bring the female back into estrus during
the fall mating season. That makes the male something to be feared year round
when you are a young bear.
For the male wandering up the river this throws a whole new
twist in the mix for him. Males don't go out of their way to pick trouble with
the females when cubs are involved. A woman's wrath pales in comparison, if you
can believe that!
Females Grizzlies or Brown Bears are unequaled when it comes
to ANYTHING threatening their cubs- bar none! I have worked to get close to
many big brown bear over the years BUT NEVER females with cubs. That is certain
disaster and I am well aware of that. Whenever I am hunting big game in Alaska,
my greatest fear was stumbling upon a sow with cubs. Worse yet, stumble upon
them and find yourself between the sow and her cubs. YOU'RE in serious trouble
when that happens.
So...what is about to happen in the photo?
The male will continue to approach his favorite
"occupied" spot and "test" the waters so to speak. He will
not be well received, but will try and snag a fish anyway. Then growling and posturing
will unfold and escalate to the point the male will retreat to a different
spot. After all, there are thousands of fish to choose from this time of the year
and it is not worth the WRATH!
