BEAR HEAVEN
Our zodiac cruise started slowly. We watched two bald eagles and a duck and had been buzzing around for about 45 minutes. This is supposed to be a great area for bears, where were they?
Then the call, a bear was spotted, off we raced.

SIGHTING ONE: HUMANS IN DANGER.|
We arrived at the sighting and saw two people on a grassy area walking straight towards the bear. Hard to tell if they saw the bear from our vantage point. The bear was on an edge of a small stream. The people kept getting closer and closer. The water was very shallow so we could not get in close. To everyone’s relief the bear finally moved away. The two people kept heading in the same direction. Hopefully this is the type of bear that will retreat and not attack. It is hard to know what these two were doing in an area so well known for a big brown bear population.

SIGHTING TWO: GOOD FRIENDS: We left this area to go to another bear sighting. This sighting was two bears and we were able to get in really close as the water was deeper about 50 feet from the shore. These two put on a great show. Moving around trying to break open mussels on the beach. Obviously interacting and playing with each other. Sitting down, standing up and appeared to be eating something from bushes, probably berries.

SIGHTING THREE: RUSH HOUR AT THE WHALE CARCASS.
Our zodiac left the playful friends to go to a third sighting. We were able to get very close as it was deep water and we were probably about 30ft from the shore. On the beach was a whale carcass with one bear having an afternoon meal. Interesting coloring on this bear with a dark stripe down its back. Then we spotted another bear at the top of the hill. This one looked BIG and a very dark color and he came down the hill. Lots of growling and posturing and the dark colored bear chased the original bear off the carcass who left going up the hill. Our new diner the big dark brown bear started to enjoy the afternoon feast.

Lo and behold a third bear came down the hill. This bear was lighter in color and looked like no match for our new diner in fact this bear looked the smallest of the three. Well do not let size fool you. It was no competition the dark brown bear did not even put up any resistance. Saw that light colored bear and left the carcass immediately. The dark brown bear stood on the side for a while. Then he slumped down with his paw under his head the bear looked so defeated. Finally he went back up the hill to leave the victor with the spoils. This new bear must be a fighter because the size difference was very evident.

Just when we thought the action was over a fourth bear was spotted on the side of the water making its way toward the carcass. We left to go see the fourth bear. Now there was no doubt this bear was no match for our current diner at the table. It was much smaller and thin. The bear got to a spot where the only option was to leave land and swim past a big cliff going straight into the sea. You could see it trying to decide whether to go for the swim or turn back. Finally I guess the smell of the carcass was too enticing. The bear took the plunge and did not look too comfortable in the water stopping a lot and looking at the sheer cliff to see if there was a way to go back to land. Finally the bear reached the rocks dragged itself out of the water, one big shake of the head the bear continued on its way and picked up its pace moving pretty quickly. When the smaller bear rounded the corner to beach where the carcass was situated the current diner took one look and completely dismissed any threat. Barely gave this smaller bear a glance. The smaller bear slumped down and I think the smaller bear was resigned to wait until the current diner left the table. We all felt a bit sorry for this small bear. It was such a struggle to get there and he has no idea that there are two other big bears in the area probably also watching and ready to take over at the first opportunity.

We are back on the ship now and I know Ken is looking forward to downloading his pictures. Hopefully he got some good shots. Not sure he will get them done tonight but by tomorrow he should have time to post.

Will check on the US dollars or rubles for you Jim and let you know.