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JULY
BEARS
The month of flowers, cubs and variety
 The
month of July marks the peak of summer on the Katmai Coast. The
biggest draw to July, aside from the pleasant weather, is variety.
As the long, warm days bath the coastal wilderness in sunlight, one
has the chance to view many of the behaviors for which Katmai bears
are famous, all in the same trip.
July is a month
of transition which offers a wonderful mixed bag of bear behaviors.
As in June, bears are still found grazing in the coastal sedge
meadows, and pursuing razor, butter and steamer clams at low tides.
Some sows come into estrus in early and even mid July, giving
viewers possible opportunities to witness complex and fascinating
mating season interactions. While the timing of early runs of
salmon is very unpredictable from one year to the next, schools
usually begin congregating at the mouths of some rivers during high
tide cycles during the later half of July, adding excitement to a
fantastic period.
As mating season
winds down, and many of the nomadic large males disperse into the
surrounding wilderness, females with tiny six month old cubs appear
like magic in the rich habitat zones that we frequent. Typical
excursions in July often consist of spending intimate moments
watching bear families play, nurse and graze between bouts of
grazing, clamming or fishing.
 With
a background consisting of the glacier studded Aleutian Mountain
Range to the west and the blue waters of the Shelikoff straight to
the east, and a foreground comprised of over a dozen species of
brilliant wildflowers, the magnificent scenery of the Katmai coast
alone makes a visit here more than worthwhile. Wildflower blooms
peak through the month of July, including the white angelica, which
draw bears to graze on the sweet stalks and flowers. Viewing a bear
grazing through one of these fields, wading shoulder deep through a
sea of brilliant greens, highlighted with reds, whites, yellows,
blues and purples is often the highlight on a July bear viewing
trip.
Every week on the Katmai coast is
special in its own way, and one must decide which specific behaviors
they most want to witness. For a little of everything, during the
peak of the legendary flower bloom, and the best weather window,
July is a smart choice.
Brad Josephs
Naturalist Guide, Katmai Coastal Bear Tours .
June Bears |
July Bears
| August Bears
|
September Bears
| Ana's Story |
