May 24, 2026 Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary – Day 3
Third day in and we are still experiencing grizzly bears – and the occasional black bear on each excursion. This morning we all went out and met a few Mom and cubs combinations – a highlight of our trip. In the afternoon, a few of us went out in the blustering and storming weather and had an amazing encounter with Hot Chocolate and her cubs, Cocoa and Mocha. They were across the inlet from the lodge – literally across the water – they were eating A LOT of mussels at low tide and could care less that we were there. At one point we were about 10 feet away from these wild enormous grizzlies. She could have gotten in our boat with just one or two strides – but she didn’t. This is because they are used to humans (and boats) being around and so they really don’t care.
Tim Irwin, our eco-guide, and Tamar, our driver, were very moved by being so close to this amazing mom and her cubs. They both have been around all sorts of bears for decades. I think this was special because we were so close, the mom didn’t care about us, and we were in this idyllic setting with a waterfall, great colors from the mussels and seaweed, it was so quiet, and most important we were in her natural habitat and it did not seem that we made a difference to her, and her cubs, at all. It was like we weren’t even there.
I think this is the standard for eco-tourism – that you don’t negatively impact the environment that you are wanting to see. For us it was a magical moment to be so close – and this creature that had the ability to jump into our boat and defend her cubs, but instead just went on doing her business.
In the afternoon it poured down rain, but the bears are still out rain or shine, so most of us still went out. We rewarded with this magical quiet experience. What a gift. Tim our guide reminded us of how special this is to see bears in their natural environment, being bears, and we have created a place where humans do not have a negative impact on them. He also reminded us to be present in this moment, without focusing on the pictures or recordings, but just being present in the moment. This is an enormous gift. This feeling is worth so much more than any picture could convey and where Tim says, “There is that old saying a picture is worth a thousand words, but I think it is these feelings that are worth a thousand pictures” It is so hard to convey this specific moment in time, you can show others the pictures, but it will be missing that magical quality that you personally experienced in that moment.
I agree and it helps me to remember to take down the camera, to fully enjoy the moment.
Siri and David Adventures 