Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Griz Along The Parkway

We were treated to a rare sight the other day as we drove along the Columbia Icefields Parkway.
We were blessed to see a Grizzly Bear.
This one is a young adult, we think it might be about three years old. Despite it's relative youth, it was huge.
The photo above shows off its shoulder hump. That's one of the distinguishing characteristics for telling a griz from an ordinary brown bear or a cinnamon black bear.




This shows griz in profile. The dished in look of the skull is another distinguishing physical marker. Brown and black bears have rounder faces.

Alberta Grizzlies are a threatened species. There are only a few hundred left in the Province due to the massive oil exploration here and up until recently, they were hunted.

We'd be a much poorer people without the grizzlies.

11 comments:

the Bag Lady said...

Terrific photos, cousin. Grizzlies are magnificent creatures. Although I am not eager to run into one face to face, they deserve to be protected.

Leah J. Utas said...

Thank you, df Bag Lady. I agree. I'm happy to have seen one, but it's best to stick to one's own business during the encounter.

Hilary said...

What a gorgeous critter and wonderful photos. How wonderful for you to see this magnificent creature and thoughtful of your to share.

Leah J. Utas said...

Hilary, it's a beauty for sure. My pleasure to post these pics.

the Bag Lady said...

And congratulations on making Hilary's POTW list... again!

messymimi said...

Nice shots! I'll show them to the children.

Leah J. Utas said...

Thanks, dfBag Lady. It's a treat.

Messymimi, I hope they enjoy them.

Anonymous said...

Wow. Your photos are so inspiring. Plus I love where you live. Me=desert. Eh, I did see a bird this morning. ha!
Mary

Leah J. Utas said...

Mary, that's very kind of you. Thanks. I live in a great place. I'd love to see the desert, though. Someday.

Frank Baron said...

A hearty "Amen!" to your last line. They're magnificent animals and you were indeed blessed with a sighting.

Have you heard of Charlie Russell, aka "The Grizzly Man?" A documentary about his work, living among and rehabilitating abandoned grizzlies, aired on the Nature of Things a few years ago. I can honestly say it changed my life. If you ever have a chance to see it, please do so. It's called The Bear Man of Kamchatka (aka East of Eden). A remarkable story about a remarkable man doing a remarkable thing.

Here's his site: http://cloudline.org/

Leah J. Utas said...

Thanks for the link, Frank. He's a fine man.