Bear Watching in Hyder, AK; July 29

OK, once again the style of the ( day was raincoats. But after the morning of bear watching and driving to the Salmon glacier, we wanted some sea food chowder. The "bus" was the place to go; her husband is the professional fisherman...so everything is fresh. You order at the "bus" (only 5 orders at a time, please) and then eat out or in on picnic tables. Great chowder!

And here's the pictures you've been waiting for (Jeanne!). This little 3 yr. old grizzley is just finishing up the scraps left by another bear feast of salmon. The salmon run is not plentiful enough for them to just jump up and catch them. This little guy needs practice and a few more salmon under his belt.
This eagle was swooping up and down the creek, but not stopping because of the people there. I was real happy I got this picture. Now, look at those trees. Looks like something is hanging from them. It is two different lichens, both denoting clean air. One name is Witches Hair and the other name is Methusila's beard.

Here's the little guy trolling the banks looking for a salmon to hit him in the face. Not happening.

He looks hungry to me.....that's why he finally went and finished the scraps you saw above.

Bear Watching....what a hoot!

This morning we woke to rain, of course, and drove to Hyder, AK just a couple of miles from Stewart, BC. There at Fish Creek in the Tongass National Park, where they have a boardwalk set up for bear viewing, we saw a wonderful 3 yr. old grizzley. He was trolling up and down the creek for a breakfast of salmon, but most of the chum salmon were not yet running. We also saw a bald eagle wanting his share of any salmon. This viewing lasted perhaps 90 minutes.
Then we drove up to the Salmon Glacier; quite a nice, steep, winding drive for about 18 miles up the mountains, through a canyon, to a glacier field. This field crossed back into British Columbia, though there were no customs agents for either country on this road. Apparently every 10 years they come and trim out a path along the whole length of the border, which we could see going up the far mountain. I suppose folks with ill intent could get over the border there…but it is some of the most rugged terrain in the country…wouldn’t be easy.
Then we went back for two more tries to see bear; to no avail. Perhaps we’ll get up tomorrow and look again. It’s only about 10 miles from our camp. Then we’ll head out in the general direction of the state of Washington. We may stop at Prince Rupert along the west coast, too.
So….until we connect again….