To PG and Back

Last week provided the opportunity for a quick trip to Prince George for work related functions. I knew the drive would be long but was looking forward to the prospect of seeing an anticipated abundance of wildlife. If the one hour trip to Fort Ware yielded frequent sightings then the almost 5 hour trip down the lake should guarantee to not disappoint.

It didn't take long, and my first contact was with the biggest moose I have ever seen. I came around a corner and almost made contact but (s)he managed to get to the safety of a side road...



A couple of corners later I got an opportunity to stop and watch this beauty walk across the road. I found a trick of stopping the truck and then starting to move forward when the bear starts walking. This makes him stop and stare for a moment which allows for good photography with minimal stress on both parties...



During the drive it was easy to see the spring/summer season was in full force. The rivers were high with run-off and the grey skies seemed to amplify the light green of the new growth.







Half way down the lake I came across a mother and three cubs. I missed the photo op but decided to try to wait them out. Mom and I stared at each other for an eternity but she won the contest...I gave up and carried on disappointed. I had no idea we would be meeting again...



I finally hit pavement and carried on for the final hour and a half trip to PG. Half way there I noticed a family of ducks on the side of the highway trying to cross the busy road. I turned around and watched for traffic as they finally took the plunge. In reality it would just be pure luck if they made it since we were on a corner and I could not safely stop traffic...







With that bit of drama behind me I carried on to the big metropolis. There I met up with Tasha returning from a visit with her family on Vancouver Island, and after a couple of days of civilization (read: Starbucks and a movie) we returned with the truck loaded with supplies. Adam followed and we made the 7hr trip back to Tsay Keh.

While approaching the same area I had previously seen the mom and cubs we were advised on the logging road radio that there was a bear sighting up ahead. This time we were rewarded with one of the best shows I have seen. It was the same family but this time the cubs felt like tree climbing instead of running so we had all the time in the world to stop and stare...



Soon the highest cub decided to try for the tree tops...you can barely him up near the branches.



And we were left with two...



The more adventurous of the two seemed to want to climb also.





But ended up having to take a seat and wait for us to go...



Before long we let them get back to their regular routine, and us to ours. Back to the familiar long and bumpy road...and the quiet and simple life we lead waiting at the end...

Of Bears and Bald Eagles

Yesterday was a good day for a drive to Fort Ware. I met three bears in one trip which isn't unusual, but this time I figured out a strategy to hopefully increase my chances at getting better photos.

Caught this guy on the way up...love the rolling road behind...

After getting frustrated with the bears running off I decided to park, shut off the vehicle, and wait out the next one. As you can see by the following series this approach seemed to work. After a few minutes of waiting I heard rustling and a head popped out...



I was outside the truck but standing dead still so after sniffing the air my new friend decided to venture out to the road.





After crossing the road he paused on the bank to give me a sniff and perhaps consider having some human kibbles.



But I must have smelled unappetizing to him since he carried on...



As anyone that follows this blog knows, this area is rich with wildlife. Recently a bald eagle was found at Collins Camp with a broken wing. We provided an animal kennel, located a wildlife rescue centre in Prince George, and NT Air kindly provided transport. This morning the lucky raptor headed to recovery...