Page 34 - Breath of the Bear
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Daniel Bunker
Even though it was early morning, the sun knew the right spots to take people to make
was already high in the sky as we made our this an unforgettable day. Out of my bush plane
final approach to land on a coastal beach in window, I could easily spot eight huge bears,
Lake Clark National Park. The skilled bush and I knew there were a lot more out there that
pilot had just given us our first “experience of a we could find.
lifetime” as he climbed up high to safely cross We started walking out to the rapidly
the frigid waters of Cook Inlet. Upon reaching receding tide line. This is a magical place where
the other side, we circled the steaming and the sea uncovers her delectable bounty twice a
majestic Mount Iliamna. At 10,016 feet, this day. As the tide recedes on this shallow, muddy
glacier-covered stratovolcano overlooks our bay, the great Alaskan brown bears come down these and other powerful animals safely, you
destination, the domain of the Alaskan coastal in droves to dig for razor clams and see what would be remiss and foolish to go without a
brown bear. other snacks the tide might leave them. knowledgeable and experienced guide.
Precariously positioned on the “Pacific Ring As we skillfully approached several bears Naturalist guides know where the bears are.
of Fire,” Lake Clark and Katmai National Parks clamming, I noticed two people wandering We guide most every day and know the different
encompass over 8 million acres of pristine rather aimlessly down the beach in between tides, food sources, fish runs, and seasons. We
glaciers, active volcanoes, jagged coastline, two groups of bears. “That is strange,” I thought know how these things affect the location and
salmon streams, and of course, Alaskan coastal to myself. As I watched them further, I became habits of bears. There are many places in Alaska
brown bears. They are in the shadow of over more and more concerned. They looked lost that have a lot of bears, but most people will
15 active volcanoes and countless mountains and a little uncertain. I changed the direction never see them because the bears avoid people
and glaciers. This area is so remote that the of my group to intersect their path. They had easily. We also know the best places to see
only access is by bush plane or boat. Today, we definitely found the right spot for bears, but I wolves, foxes, and other land and sea animals.
chose the faster option. was concerned for their safety. Naturalist guides know how to read animal
Our pilot put in his final notch of flaps and The couple looked relieved to see us. They behavior and how to keep you safe. Contrary to
gently kissed the beach with his plane’s beach were from New Jersey. Someone had dropped their reputation, grizzly bears or Alaskan coastal
tires, I knew this was going to be a great day. them off and planned to pick them up several brown bears do not want to eat you or harm
The bears were everywhere. Being out flying hours later. I offered them the option to join our you. In most places, they have an abundance
and guiding almost every day in the summer, we group. They seemed interested, but wanted of natural food, which they prefer, and they try
to continue on their own for now. Even so I to avoid humans. Bears are, however, powerful
decided I would stay close to them. animals, and if not treated properly can become
We moved to a wooded area looking out over dangerous.
a salt marsh meadow, green with sedge grass. Humans have to learn how to act, move, and
Several pairs of bears were peacefully munching behave in bear country. Our human instincts
sedge in front of us. As we were approaching prompt us to do dangerous things around bears
a nice spot to view these giant bruins, the such as scream and run. Guides teach proper
New Jersey couple excitedly bounded ahead, bear safety while safely allowing you to focus
almost running (a big no-no in bear country). on the experience.
They stopped abruptly to admire this stunning Guides help protect the bears. The Bears
scenery peppered with bears. All of a sudden, of Katmai and Lake Clark National Park are a
I heard a blood-curdling scream coming from national treasure. Nowhere else in the world
their direction. It was the couple. They were can you experience such beauty, isolation,
screaming. Seconds before, I had noticed a fox amount of bears, abundance of food and open
approaching them from their blind side, heading terrain as on the Katmai coast. This area holds
directly for them. They were so enraptured with the highest concentration of brown bears in
the landscape, the bears, and the viewfinder the world. These bears are unique in that they
of their camera (and understandably so) that have no interaction with urban areas. They have
they failed to look around them and maintain plenty of their own food and have never tasted
situational awareness. human food. We want to keep it that way! You
As the couples’ high-pitched scream echoed may have heard the saying that, “A fed bear is a
in the meadow in front of them, I saw every dead bear.” Guides are very careful to leave no
brown bear stop eating and turn their attention trace and make sure no crumbs of food are left
to the couple. “Good thing these bears are for curious bears to try. As long as bears don’t
accustomed to people and well-fed at the associate humans with food, we are much safer
moment,” I thought. The fox got about 4 feet and so are they.
from them and then turned and scampered off. My goal every trip is to behave and move
This could have turned out very badly for the around bears in such a respectful way so as
couple. High-pitched screaming can trigger the to not to change or alter their behavior. Most
predator instinct in bears and other predators, days, I am successful at experiencing bears in
prompting them to chase or at least investigate an unobtrusive way, a humble human treading
closer. I was glad we were there to help them. lightly in the domain of the bear.
They stuck a lot closer to my group after that, As our bush plane descends to the tarmac of
Daniel Bunker
thankful for our presence and guidance as we the Homer airport, a persistent grin is plastered
saw them safely off. on every face. It’s hard to express the beauty
A bear-viewing adventure should be on the and majesty of the place and the bears they
top of everyone’s list if you are visiting Alaska. just experienced. Digital pictures cannot do it
It never gets old seeing these enormous top justice, but the mental pictures will be a vivid
predators and iconic Alaskan animals wild and imprint on their hearts and minds forever.
free in their majestic habitat. To fully experience
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