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Khutzeymateen the Bears
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Well, now on to the Khutzeymateen population of interest, grizzly bears. The image of a grizzly bear conjures up and provokes a wide range of visuals and emotions. The power that these creatures posses is to be both admired and feared. But whether you accept or fear bears, they will always play a part in our lives and are a reminder that a wild world proceeded us and we must ensure it follows us. |
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The Northwest native cultures hold the bear and its spirit in reverence. It is one the most widespread figures in shamanic art and pervades in many myths. The bear is believed to be a link between the human and non-human worlds as its appearance and habits parallel our own lives. Bears are guardians and protectors who watch over tribal warriors. In the Bear Mother story, a Bear chief hears a woman insulting bears after stepping in dung and whisks her away to give birth to twin cubs with extraordinary powers. The woman is rescued by a male human relative and returned to the human village. Soon the human-bear children become founders of the Bear lineage, and to this day those with rights to display the Bear crest call the bear their relative, and have the power to converse with the mythical beings. |
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One of the main attractions of Khutzeymateen for the grizzly bear is the abundant supply of sedge grasses within the estuary and along the fjord. Our most productive spot was within the estuary at high tide quietly floating close to a bear, minimizing our movements and paying respect to the bear's perceived space. Tom was an excellent coach and his guidance allowed us some extraordinary photography.
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| Female adult feeding on sedge grass. Note the distinctive hump. |
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| In the spring as the cubs emerge with their mothers last years crop of sub-adults start their difficult journey towards adulthood. The mortality rate is high. Those sub-adults that master a cautious and elusive behavior pattern are most likely to survive. We found several teenagers along the shore in heavily wooded and steep terrain which gave them a quick escape route for any conflicts that might arise. Our collective hope was that they would make another season in the Khutzeymateen. |
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Sub-adults in the plentiful sedge grass
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| As April comes around each year, grizzlies awaken from their hibernation and start a never-ending cycle of feeding, mating and surviving. It was amazing to see the constant motion of these creatures and their quest to make another day. One of the females in the valley had dragged a washed-up seal carcass to a feed site close to the shore and was staying near to keep an eye on it and chase away any potential thieves. The standing posture signifies a warning to all other bears in area that this is her cache. |
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Female guarding feed site
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