Alaska Wildlife/black_bear

Alaska Wildlife

black_bear_rt37.jpg - A Black bear seen crossing British Columbia Route 37 on the way back from Hyder, Alaska. We must have seen a dozen Black bears on this sidetrip to Hyder. Most were leery of us and quickly scampered off when they saw us except this one. The roadway was lined with dandelions in full bloom and this bear was making a beeline for another patch. Black bears load up with carbohydrate-rich berries during the summer to help them get through the winter. We were told dandelions are a favorite food of Black bears after their winter of hibernating and the bears we saw that day confirmed this statement. In coastal areas, Black bears collect along streams in mid-summer to feast on spawning salmon as can be seen at the Bear Viewing area in Hyder. With a bounty of berries and fish, 300 pound Black bears are common in Alaska and heavier ones are reported to live on POW.

A Black bear seen crossing British Columbia Route 37 on the way back from Hyder, Alaska. We must have seen a dozen Black bears on this sidetrip to Hyder. Most were leery of us and quickly scampered off when they saw us except this one. The roadway was lined with dandelions in full bloom and this bear was making a beeline for another patch. Black bears load up with carbohydrate-rich berries during the summer to help them get through the winter. We were told dandelions are a favorite food of Black bears after their winter of hibernating and the bears we saw that day confirmed this statement. In coastal areas, Black bears collect along streams in mid-summer to feast on spawning salmon as can be seen at the Bear Viewing area in Hyder. With a bounty of berries and fish, 300 pound Black bears are common in Alaska and heavier ones are reported to live on POW.

Total images: 23 | Last update: 9/16/08 2:53 PM | Help