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WHAT TO
EXPECT
...We will guide you
on Alaskan Brown Bear Viewing Adventure that will leave you
with memories and photographs to fuel daydreams for the rest of your
life. Step on board their floatplane based on
Beluga Lake in Homer Alaska and let the adventure begin. Flying west
over the Cook Inlet, named for 18th century explorer Captain James
Cook, watch the snowy Alaska Range which rings the Alaska Peninsula
loom into view - five active volcanoes are the crown jewels of this
range - 120 miles NW is Mt Spur which last erupted in 1994,
following south are Mt Redoubt last erupting in 1990 and Mt Iliamna
dormant but sporting a steaming vent on the north side - weather
permitting you will over fly Mt Augustine an island volcano
rising from the Cook Inlet approximately 4,000' -most active of the
group, Augustine last erupted in 1986 and frequently vents tall
plumes of steam - to your south the massive Mt Douglas lays sleeping
draped in snow and flanked by glaciers. As you fly over the coast
evidence of the massive forces that formed Alaska are written in the
contorted and fractured rock of the coastline. Reaching the Alaska
Peninsula the terrain turns to the stark reality of mountainous
peaks and undulating tundra. Your destination will vary with the
season. Bears follow food sources over the summer season and we will
follow the bears.
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Mt Augustine
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...June finds us
along the coastal sedge flats watching as the bears beach comb and
graze on succulent spring grasses and browse. It is mating season -
we may see large males pursuing the females, June is the time new
spring cubs are being introduced into the general population of
bears - young sub adults are playfully celebrating the return of
summer. In late June and early July many of the streams and
rivers along the Alaska Range fill with salmon returning to the very
streams they were spawned in, their bright red color shines and
flashes as they fight their way up stream. Waiting for the salmon
are the bears sporting hefty appetites after a long winters sleep.
Each has their favorite fishing spot and unique fishing style. |
...Mid August through
September
finds the bears fat and slick, moving between the salmon streams and
the abundant ripe berries on the hillsides. Appetites sated,
preparing to den.
...Throughout the day as we walk along the streams stopping
frequently to sit on an overlook to watch, you might be amazed by
how graceful and sensitive these magnificent creatures are, or by
the tender interaction of a female with her cubs-cubs wrestling
while mom catches lunch. Just when you think all the bears have
moved off, like a ghost a 1200 pound male silently appears - don't
be alarmed, he has one thing on his mind- catching fish! Watching
his slow rolling gate you would think he couldn't possibly move as
quickly or gracefully as he does splashing into the stream after a
fish - in fact he can run up to 40 miles per hour, can turn like a
working cow horse, stand on his hind legs, walk across logs that
look to narrow for his feet and scratch the inside of his ear with
one claw. |
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...Bears are not the
only animals that are attracted to the streams by the fish. Gulls
soar and swirl hoping for a chance at a few scraps, Bald Eagles
may pass low over the stream grabbing a flashing fish in their
talons. Seals follow the salmon to the stream mouths hoping to feast
on this much prized food source. Red Fox are frequent visitors and
if you are extremely lucky you might possibly see wolverine, coyote
or wolves. While walking across the tundra Caribou are often seen
along with a myriad of birds and small mammals.
...Expect to do moderate walking and spend a full day out with the
bears - returning Homer in the evening tired but full of wonder and
awe by the things you have experienced through the course of the
day.
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| ...If you want to see
beauty beyond belief both in the vastness of Alaska and the
creatures that live here make a reservation with Us and let
us share our world with you. |
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