Back at Brooks Camp

I made it back! I was more than a little worried I wouldn't; that either the Park would decide to just send me home, too much of a liability to come back, or that I'd get really sick and be unable to. But they didn't, and I didn't, so I'm back.

My next big fear was that the bears would be gone. Usually in August they disappear for awhile. Luckily that didn't happen either. In fact, not only were the bears still hanging around, but I finally did get charged by one! I had assumed it was inevitable, being in the park for so long, and surrounded by the highest density of brown bears in the world, statistically at some point I was likely to run into a grumpy one and get charged, but it hadn't happened. Within a week of coming back, sure enough, a full force charge. Let me tell you, that is TERRIFYING. I've never had my bear spray out so fast. I'd like to tell you that I was calm, cool and collected, and bravely stood my ground and whatever, but in reality I yelled something like "hey, whoa, none of that!" and clutched my bear spray with bloodless hands, preparing to be bowled over and mauled. As you can see, it didn't happen. The bear stopped when I yelled, only a few feet away, and I didn't have to spray it with the bear spray. The whole thing transpired in only a few seconds. He passed me, entirely too close for comfort, giving me some major side-eye the whole time. It took probably a week for my heart rate to come back down. Though I do kind of wish I had a video of the charge, or at least a photo, my camera wasn't out, and I'd have gone for bear spray over camera anyways. 

Since I don't have a photo of that bear, here are some other bears still around in August:

Some of the big boars at the Falls

They're still on the beach, too
One of the subadults trying out the lip fishing spot

A disagreement over personal space

Look at those claws!

Talking with his mouth full

You have to feel a little bad for the fish

A majestic looking bear
Alternate caption: a very freaked out fish




Oh man, right in the face

🎵 Oh my god, Becky, look at that butt ♩

So many bears out on the Spit


Fearless Bear Tech Julie escorting 273 and her cubs on one of the camp trails

    While many of the Bear Techs were out in the back country doing surveys and bear monitoring in another (more remote) part of the park, I got permission from my supervisor to be cross trained as a Bear Tech, so I could be back-up. My division wrangles people, not bears, so this was great fun for me. Better yet, the head of the Law Enforcement Division said she could keep me on for a couple weeks after my official season ends to help her out. Muahaha I'm slowly infiltrating every division. It's the beginning of a Katmai coup. 

    It's not just the bears who have stuck around: the salmon, though less prevalent, are still clogging up the river more than I could have imagined. They've turned red, and some are so bright they seem almost neon. The blue water looks streaked red where they're all collecting together. 



It's literally this, as far as the eye can see


Spruce Grouse


        Another of my favorite characters around the camp is this guy:

Pee Wee Ermine makes an appearance

    Pee Wee Ermine lives somewhere around the Ranger Station, and frequently shows up trying to get into the buildings: Ranger housing, the Visitor Center, the Station... if we're in it, he wants in. He's fascinating to watch, because he's just a blur of color that will suddenly stop to check if you're watching, then dance a bit more, then make a mad dash for the stairs or the door. He's absolutely fearless, and comes right up to inspect Rangers, though I haven't seen him do that to visitors, which is probably a good thing. 

    There's another one who lives under the Law Enforcement Rangers' cabin, but I haven't spotted that one yet.
    Also still haven't caught a photo of the porcupine who lives underneath the Visitors' Center, though I hear him chattering to me every morning.
    And now, for your viewing pleasure, more of that cheeky little short-tailed weasel:



Right after this shot, he climbed up on my feet, and was too close for my camera to catch. I had to gently encourage him not to climb on me. Cute as he is, he's not supposed to be that comfortable around people.


I thought he was gone, but nope. Just under the porch step

Adorable but lethal




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