Monday, October 29, 2007

Beary Beautiful

Seems like I've not had time to post in a bit now. I've been on the run for the past two weeks...just a few steps ahead of the law. But I'm coming up for air shortly. In the meantime, aren't they beauties? They seem so cuddly and played so well together that it was tempting to go for the bear hug, that was until I got a closer look at the claws on those paws.

Meet Buster (named him myself).

And this is Gretta the grizzly. She's only slightly smaller than Buster.

Check out the claws on that baby! He seems pretty docile, but all it would take is one friendly swat.

"There's a crazy woman over there busy taking photos. What should we do?"

"Just ignore her. Perhaps she'll go away."
"Quit staring at her, or she'll know we're talking about her."

If you go out in the woods today...you better not go alone...

26 comments:

TK Kerouac said...

Nice to see you back
Cuddly bears,
course if you cuddle,
you would never make it out alive.

Cheryl said...

Wow, you made it home in good time! Love the photos - now I'm feeling inspired to take the kids up there!

Anonymous said...

Absolutely stunning photo's - and great captions too....

Looks like the 'guy has got the 'hots' - for you Carla - ....

Carla said...

Tracey, Good to be back. I feel like I've been away from this for ages. And now to catch up on everyone else's blog.

Cheryl, They are beautiful animals. I'm sure your kids would love it. And if you do the hike, it would be enough exercise for a good week. Ugg.

Carla said...

Philosophy of life, Aren't they lovely. Absolutely amazing to watch them go about their business.

Anonymous said...

They are captivating to see and one would luv to see in reality - although perhaps not as close up -

Your photo's are a treasure to view..

I guess the "law" - will not approach - with your present company....

Carla said...

Philosophy of life, The truth is that I was not as close as one might think. I happen to, luckily, have quite a good zoom on my camera.

paris parfait said...

Those photos are fabulous and very amusing captions!

jillie said...

Yes, they do look as if you would want to give them a great big hug but I am not so sure that I would like a pat on the back from either one!

JBelle said...

ohhhhhhh. I love bears. I hate tourists. Especially in Canada, when they stop the car and try to get a picture of the bear with their kids! I loved these pictures.....

Anonymous said...

Awesome pictures!! Were they near your home? I would imagine they are getting ready for hibernation soon.

Anonymous said...

A wise decision - 'zoom' lense...

Must invest in one of those - one day...

Steffi said...

It´s really nice to hear from you again!I hope you enjoyed your time at home!Very nice pictures but I know bears can be rally dangerous...

The Fool said...

Nice capture, Nomad. You've got a treasure in those photos. Welcome back.

Anonymous said...

They are beautiful creatures, and very dangerous.

Carla said...

Paris Parfait, So glad you enjoyed them.

Jillie, I very much agree...even if they meant well, one wouldn't want to be too close to those paws.

Carla said...

JBelle, What you speak of is a great problem in the Rockies. The locals always say that the animals only like to eat the tourists...seems to be true.

Sirdar, Actually, these two bears where orphaned near Gross Mountain (North Vancouver). They were taken in, cared for until they were old enough and then put in a protected grizzly habitat zone. There was actually a barrier between the bears and me. On lucky days one can view them if they wander close to the edge.

Carla said...

Philosophy of Life, That zoom has come in handy on numerous occasions.

Steffi, As long as the bears have not become too accustomed to humans or dependent on them for food, they are usually not a threat to them. In fact, usually if they hear us they will wander off in the opposite direction. The problem is if one surprises one or comes between a bear and its food or young. In BC we hike with bear bells...that usually keeps them away.

Carla said...

Fool, We live in a beautiful part of the country, don't we? A real treasure.

Mark, Under normal circumstances and if one practices due caution, bears aren't normally dangerous. They can be, but usually only if they feel threatened. Of course one mustn't do silly things like try to get too close, feed them or touch them. I know that probably sounds silly, but tourists in the area have tried to do all those things.

Rowena said...

I'm living in the wrong country. Even with my lousy internet connection, I've been checking out links to Kootenay, Vancouver and the Gulf Islands and so forth. What a gorgeous place on earth!

Simon said...

I look forward to visiting Canada one day.

Wonderful photographs as always, Carla.

Anonymous said...

Wow, great photos and fun words. Those claws are something else for sure.

Carla said...

Rowena, Let me know if you decide to visit and would like a guide...or at the very least some suggestions.

Winters, Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed them. I'm sure you'll make it to Canada at some point...on some wild adventure, no doubt.

Carla said...

Dawn, Yes, those claws look rather nasty, to say the least.

Pamela said...

At first I thought you named him: Meat Buster.

He certain is that!!!

Carla said...

Pamela, Buster was actually munching down on the vegetation when I saw him. Just occasionally and then he would roll back like he just wanted a good snooze.