Spring bears, Great Bear Ranfirest with @outershores … some have asked why the bears look a bit slim. The answer is that they have been in hibernation for months and are eating a diet of mostly sedge grass, starchy tubers, low tide molluscs or marine invertsbrates right now. For the rest of the summer they will be constantly eating mostly plants and berries, until the salmon arrive in the rivers in late September. The life of a grizzly bear is basically constant eating from dawn to dusk, as they must add fat to their bodies before hibernation or risk starvation. The cubs in these photos are likely in their second and possibly third years of life with mom.
The majesty and scale of the Great Bear can make one feel totally humbled. My favourite spots are where the tall peaks of the coast range mountains pierce straight into the ocean and down to depths almost equally as great. There are few safe places to drop anchor in these inlets, but Russ @outershores seems to know them all like the back of his hand.
Passing Cloud details. Built out of Douglas fir in 1974 and inspired by the Bluenose fishing schooner, she is both beautiful and capable of sailing anywhere in the world. Although originally outfitted with little tech, these days there’s solar, satellite navigation, radar, radios, EPIRB, AIS, sonar, watermaker, high capacity inverters…. and now even Starlink internet. You’re surrounded by nostalgia, whike simultaneously safe in some of the most remote waters on the planet.
2024 was mostly about family and new life. So many great memories made. Hard to really post them all. Definitely not as much outdoor or landscape work as in the past, but hopeful to get some new work together for 2025. Thankful to all those who have supported me, taught me, cared for me, humbled and loved me in 2024.
Due to some family changes coming soon 🐣 I’ve decided my annual print sale is going to take a year off. If you’re still intested in ordering a print for the holidays, I can fullfill it with @helmandoar ... DM for details … this is a selection of new images available with Helm & Oar.
