After the bears have eaten their fill, there usually are some scraps left over for the eagles. We spotted a couple of them competing for position to swoop in for a bite. (The last photo is of a bear defecating into the creek. Bears apparently can't resist plastic. This one is eliminating a long yellow nylon cord.)
Eagle waiting for a meal
Eagle waiting for a meal
Eagle ready to swoop in
Eagle with a chunk of salmon
Eagle watching the photographer
Bear disposing of indigestible material
Just before we headed back down to the beach to catch our plane, a yearling and a large bear (its mother?) passed across our trail down to the creek and back. A close call, but fortunately these bears are habituated to humans and do not seem inclined to attack unless provoked. Still, we gave them a wide berth.
Yearling watching the path
Yearling passes the observatory
Mama bear checks us out
Yearling returns with a fish
We left having seen more than our share of bears and had a smooth flight back to Ketchikan. Big thanks to Michelle and to our guide.
Copyright © 2008 Jefferson Scher.