The Great Bear Lodge - a bucket list trip part four final - photo heavy

So nearly there. Just a few more photos of in particular some gorgeous little cubs. Let's take a look.

Isn't that amazing? Real life at work.

First thing in the morning, a mum and her cub enjoying a feast of salmon.

Another day of more than one bear in front of us. Wondering where to look, what to watch. Fascinated by them all.

When you sit there watching them over a period of days, you start to feel like you know them. Like you can go up to them and cuddle them. Then you see their claws and you realise that they could kill you with one swipe of those 'cuddly' paws.

And then you take another look and you see the beauty of where you are and you marvel at how amazing it is. 

And you wonder how on earth you got so lucky to be sitting there watching the world go by from the bears point of view.

And then to make your last morning even more special, this wee girl came across the river, up the bank, beside us, across the road into the forest and behind the bus, then back out again onto the road. We watched her the whole way. It was fabulous.

I mean, it was unreal.

We didn't understand why this little lady was on the move and then turned around to discover this mumma bear with two young cubs. We think this was their first year, they were still young, but the mother had done an amazing job bringing them up and all were looking incredibly healthy.

I was so grateful to see a mother bear with two cubs. Lucky to have seen it a few times, there is just something so incredible about babies. 

But then it was time for lunch and a quick trip out in the boats before I flew out of there. 

A bit like these geese.

But before I did, I had one more chance to see things, and we came across the Mumma from before with her cubs on a foraging spree on some grassy land.

When I took these photos we were not more than 20ft from the shoreline and these gorgeous animals. And because we were on the river, we were at the same sort of level as them and could look straight into their eyes. I felt at one with the bears.

See that little one on the left, with the blonder face. Apparently s/he has been trouble with a capital T for Mumma bear all season. Trying to explore, wanting to give things a go. While it's twin was much more cautious. Even in the time I saw them, I could see their personalities.

This picture is another of my favourites.

And while we were watching these beauties, across the river was an otter. Wow! 

After this last outing, it was time for me to leave. I cried as we took off. Watching the 3 new guests arriving and remembering the feeling I had when I first arrived. And wishing I could have shared this with my family. I know that one day I will take them back.

Comments

[mandyb]

oh for sure.....you have to go back~~~ it is just amazing!!! oh those pics of the cubs...how darling are they!!!

love these posts...thanks for sharing

[Danielle Tilley]

Oh my GOD Trina!!! What a trip. Lucky you x