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Anan The weather continued warm and sunny. We were hoping to see more bears – preferably brown bear. The salmon were starting to run in the Anan River. Some of the tour operators were making trips and reported seeing some bears. The scenery on the way over was memorable. So was the anchorage off the river. It was a lee shore anchorage with two foot waves. We put the rubber dinghies over and headed for the rocky beach.
The park service had recently added a boardwalk to reach the observing area. Fresh scat on it gave evidence that bears also like an easy path. The ranger recommended that we travel as a group and that we make noise. The stories Bill told on the way ranked well above noise. We were all pleased that he kept the decibel level high. We saw three different black bears fishing the creek. The one I photographed would sit patiently peering into the water then dive head first trying to snap a salmon with his jaws. Sometimes he would be successful. I saw him catch two fish. After quite a struggle getting back on board against the wind and waves, we put into Berg Bay and tied up at the park dock provided for the cabin ashore. No one was in residence. The day before a woman left her group that was hiking up the river to return alone. Everyone advised her not go alone. Apparently she got between a mother and her cub and was severely mauled by the grizzly. Her group found her on the trail and was able to get help. We heard from the skipper of the boat she was on that she would likely survive the ordeal. |