Bill Bickle Photography, William Bickle Photography
Great Bear Rain Forest
Pictures from the "Great Bear Rain Forest" located on the coast of British Columbia, Canada The Kermode Bear (Ursus americanus kermodei), also known as the "Spirit Bear", is a subspecies of the American Black Bear living in the north coast of British Columbia, and noted for about 1/10 of their population having white or cream-coloured coats. This colour morph is due to a recessive allele common in the population. They are not albinos and not any more related to polar bears or the "blond" brown bears of Alaska's “ABC Islands” than other members of their species. Because of their ghost-like appearance, "spirit bears" hold a prominent place in the mythology of the Canadian First Nations of the area. A male Kermode bear can reach 225 kg (500 lb) or more, females are much smaller with a maximum weight of 135 kg (300 lb). Straight up it stands 180 cm (6 ft) tall.
" Curious, Shy, Alert "... Grizzly Bear Family in Great Bear Rainforest Northern British Columbia Canada . " AWARD winning Photo"
The " Spirit Bear" of Great Bear Rain Forest The Kermode Bear (Ursus americanus kermodei), also known as the "Spirit Bear", is a subspecies of the American Black Bear living in the north coast of British Columbia, and noted for about 1/10 of their population having white or cream-coloured coats. This colour morph is due to a recessive allele common in the population. They are not albinos and not any more related to polar bears or the "blond" brown bears of Alaska's “ABC Islands” than other members of their species. Because of their ghost-like appearance, "Spirit Bears" hold a prominent place in the mythology of the Canadian First Nations of the area. A male Kermode bear can reach 225 kg (500 lb) or more, females are much smaller with a maximum weight of 135 kg (300 lb). Straight up it stands 180 cm (6 ft) tall. Technical Stuff: Nikon D700 / Nikon 200-400 VR lens/ Speed 1/160 / F7.1/ ISO 800 @ 330mm
Humpback whale preparing for a Deep Dive
Taken @ "Klemtu" A Native Village in the Rainforest Many Salmon were Swimming and many were already Expired and exposed above the River flow, some Salmon were lodged between Rocks where Birds gorged themselves. A beautiful flying bird common to this area. Nikon D700 / Nikon Lens 200-400 VR / @ F7.1 / ISO 6400 / 1/1000 Speed
Spirit Bear searching the River for Salmon
Spirit Bear Pondering the Moment in search of a Chub Salmon
Raven enjoing an Expired Salmon in Klemtu The indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest of North America were well aware of the raven's multifaceted nature, and Raven was revered as a major deity and something of a trickster. He features frequently in the distinctive artwork of these people.
A Raven with Attitude in Klemtu Ravens spend the first three to four years of their lives moving in and out of loose-knit “gangs”, in which they meet and court prospective partners. Once they have mated and established a territory, adult ravens maintain their social and sexuality intimacy through ritualized gestures Raven (Txaamsm or Wigyet): Raven is the culture hero of the Tsimshian and other Northwest Coast tribes. He is a revered and benevolent transformer figure who helps the people and shapes their world for them, but at the same time, he is also a trickster character and many Raven stories have to do with his frivolous or poorly thought out behavior getting him into trouble. Txaamsm is the hero's personal name and is pronounced similsr to chahm-sum Wigyet is pronounced similar to weeg-yet Occasionally he may also be referred to by the name Gaax (pronounced similar to gawkh), which is the literal Tsimshian word for "raven."
gull in Flight searching for a meal
The Big House was constructed in homage to the traditional long houses of the Tsimshian First Nations.
Black Bear in search of the River Salmon. Although the Salmon were in record numbers in 2010. The Great Bear Rainforest did Not have a very sucessful salmon run. Bears & over 200 species rely heavily on this salmon run. Bears require the added energy & fat supplied by the salmon, to be able to sustain the upcoming hibernation period.
The Kermode Bear is a Subspecies of the American Black Bear. A Rare specimen these guys. The light coloured fur allows daytime feeding where the Black bears may get too hot with their dark coats and venture into deep woods or covered rivers.
Searching for the returning Salmon , prior to Winter Hibernation is a Full-Time job .
Image taken in the Great Bear Rainforest of Norther BC Canada. This Image was chosen by David Suzuki in Nature of Things, Annual Photo Competition 2011, and was awarded an Honourable Mention. David liked the image so well He included it in his Annual Calendar 2012.
This Very large Kermode Bear or known as "SPRIT BEAR" surprised me as he appeared from within the Great Bear Rainforest. He was very interested in the Salmon in the nearby river. The Salmon are abundant this time of year & he has been getting his Salmon Fix as his large belly attests. Featured in December 2013 at the Canadian Geographic's Desktop Calendar, with over 12,000 distributed.
Bald Eagles are Amazing to see In-Flight
Early in springtime the Grizzly comes awake from his dormancy to feed on the high nutrient grasses in an attempt to replenish his body needs .
Great Bear Rainforest
The Grizzly Bear cubs were very active, enjoying the small islands protective feeling. Soon the island would be submerged into the incoming tide.