I researched many float plane companies and options and found that "Alaska Seaplane Tours" offered something different than the others. Most tours were going to glaciers this is the only tour I found that went looking for Brown or Grizzly bears, we will be seeing many glaciers within the next few days so armed with this idea I booked it. Again, as mentioned we had visited Ketchikan twice before so it was time to venture beyond the city limits.
Our pilot was Jim and six of us boarded the 1957 Beaver float plane, all from our ship, Jan and I, a father with his two young sons and the grandfather, they are celebrating his 85th while aboard. Very smooth take offs and landings as we flew between 1,500 and 3,000 feet for about 45 minutes before settling down into a prestine lake. The company had found this spot about 3 years ago and have been watching this mother grizzly and her two cubs, she had 3 but recently lost one to a male grizzly bear. The mother is getting used to this company coming and visiting while they stayi a safe distance away, so as Jim was informing me she now feels comfortable and no longer runs away with her cubs - great for us. Jim also let me know that just over the ridge there are about 30 float planes flying over the glaciers (most booked through the tours from both the ships in port), he noted how we were all by ourselves with no other planes or distractions for the Bears. Jim let me know that they are keeping this special spot a secret as long as they can. They recently installed a buoy a safe distance out where they cut the engine and let the plane float to it and then tie up as to ensure they make as little noise as possible in order to maximize the viewing experience. He also let us know that the Bears were a bit on the thin side as they had recently come out of hibernation and were only eating the marsh grass available, the salmon are soon arriving and they will begin to really put on weight within in the next month. It's too bad the Bears can't take a one week cruise to help them in that department, lol. We stayed about a half hour and then continued back to the ship for a bit of a walkabout town and doing some retail therapy, yup got ourselves another fridge magnet. Had some chowder along with some free wifi, this is when I posted a few pics on FB.
We did find a mask we loved but the shop owner could not sell it to us as it was made out of whale cartridge and whale bone - illegal in Canada. A very nice and honest shopkeeper, he allowed us to take a picture of it and I have included it with this upload.
Looking forward to our first officer reception tonight before dinner so I may be posting again tonight, for now here is our day so far. Hope you enjoy!
The first pic here was Jan's from yesterday, great whale tail shot.
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