When I think Alaskan Mammals this is the first guy to come to mind.
Brown bears (Kodiak) are indigenous and plentiful to this State. They are one of the two largest land carnivores. The other being a close cousin...the Polar Bear. Brown Bears are referred to as Grizzly Bears in the Western United States (i.e. California) These bears diverged from the Cave Bear lineage about 1.5 million years ago and have a vast number of subspecies. With claws up to four inches and the largest having a standing height of 10-12 feet these are not a bear to be trifled with, no matter how cute, friendly or clumsy they may seem. Every year, it seems, there are reports of hikers (usually solo) being attacked and/or eaten by these bears.
Now (February) they are deep into Hibernation, here. They will rouse in May with the beginning of Spring in Alaska.
A live cam from Brooks Falls is set up for filming in Spring. For now if you visit you can see footage from last season...in May it will be a live feed again. Definitely going to check it back out then.
http://explore.org/live-cams/player/brown-bear-salmon-cam-brooks-falls
Fishing for Salmon
https://youtu.be/OpKNlOF7vcg
https://youtu.be/Tluaarbb0bE
These bears must be the gulls and other shoreline birds best friend and providers.
Tonight the climate here seems to have shifted back to the Arctic, as well. Enjoying an evening with hot tea and honey and a novel set in Alaska I am reading along with this virtual journey.
The Author is Sue Henry
And the book is an Alaskan Mystery Novel called
Termination Dust
(Termination Dust is the name given to the first light snowfall of the Alaskan Winter...thereby signifying the end of the Gold Mining Season)
This book is a story within a story, when modern day Jim Hampton finds the bones, a weathered tin and 1897 hand-written journal of Prospector Addison Harley Risner while canoeing in Alaska.
Although I have barely started the book it is very interesting, appears to be well written and hard to put down.
Something to enjoy on a cold still-winter night!
More anon...
