Third Day at Quadra Island
On our third day, Jackie and I decided to break from the group for an excursion to watch Grizzlies catch and eat salmon.
We took a small boat from Hariot Bay Inn to the mainland, to the Orford River which resides in the Homalco First Nation.
On our way to the Orford River, we crossed through spectacularly beautiful scenery. Most of the time there were no
houses. But we did pass one island recently purchased by Bill Gates. There was a luxury lodge in this wilderness where
rooms rent for US $2,000 to $3,000 a day. There were a couple summer "cottages" beyond description including one
with a golf course that was built for $13,000,000 for the exclusive use of this billionaire owner.
Our boat crosse large whirlpools and currents. We also saw Stellar Sea Lions (below).
We took a small boat from Hariot Bay Inn to the mainland, to the Orford River which resides in the Homalco First Nation.
On our way to the Orford River, we crossed through spectacularly beautiful scenery. Most of the time there were no
houses. But we did pass one island recently purchased by Bill Gates. There was a luxury lodge in this wilderness where
rooms rent for US $2,000 to $3,000 a day. There were a couple summer "cottages" beyond description including one
with a golf course that was built for $13,000,000 for the exclusive use of this billionaire owner.
Our boat crosse large whirlpools and currents. We also saw Stellar Sea Lions (below).
We were a group of seven which was close to the limit for this trip. During our three hour stay on the reservation, we
saw eight grizzlies and watched them fish and eat.
saw eight grizzlies and watched them fish and eat.
| I see a fish! |
Got it! |
| Now I'll rip it apart and eat it. Yum. Birds, you get the leftovers. |
This guy is 1200
pounds.
pounds.
This little fellow (right and below) is
three years old and mommy has
started to leave him on his own.
Normally, the mother keeps the cubs
for three seasons, sometimes four.
three years old and mommy has
started to leave him on his own.
Normally, the mother keeps the cubs
for three seasons, sometimes four.
It was a dream fulfilled.
Getting to watch
grizzlies catching
salmon. And I was
surprised to be able to
go on a venture so
close to home. We live
in Paradise.
Getting to watch
grizzlies catching
salmon. And I was
surprised to be able to
go on a venture so
close to home. We live
in Paradise.
Our thanks to all who
made this trip
possible, particularly
Doris, John and
Sharon for the
organization and Bob
and Gordon for being
such great leaders.
made this trip
possible, particularly
Doris, John and
Sharon for the
organization and Bob
and Gordon for being
such great leaders.
To book the bear trip call the Hariot Bay Inn at 1-888-605-4545 or
go to www.hariotbayinn.com
go to www.hariotbayinn.com
To get to the bears, our guide drove us on a road in a van after we got out of the boat. He would scout the area for
grizzlies before taking us out to view them from the river banks, gravel bars, and platforms. One time we were driving
along when a grizzly bolted from the trees right in front of us--startling our guide. Another time we came up suddenly in
the van on a mother and her two cubs. Because we came upon them abruptly, they got excited and the guide told us to
stay in the van. Even though they were on the other side of the river, he said she could cross that river in four seconds.
grizzlies before taking us out to view them from the river banks, gravel bars, and platforms. One time we were driving
along when a grizzly bolted from the trees right in front of us--startling our guide. Another time we came up suddenly in
the van on a mother and her two cubs. Because we came upon them abruptly, they got excited and the guide told us to
stay in the van. Even though they were on the other side of the river, he said she could cross that river in four seconds.