The Bear Cam - One of my favorite websites

[ranch560]

One of my all time favorite websites is the Bear Cam located in Katmai NP in Alaska. Each year I start watching it and become hooked. I've posted this each year because a lot of the new members may not be familiar with it and the older members are just that, older and forget.

Anyways this year is a little different as there are so many fish, the bears are already full, farther up and downstream finding they don't need to compete for fish at the falls, or off in the weeds somewhere mating. In the past, up to 20 bears could be seen at one time fishing together at the falls.

The bears come and go with most of the action now and ending in early Sept.

Enjoy - Jim

http://explore.org/live-cams/player/...m-brooks-falls

[jeff_banning]

Saw bears on live cam right away, thanks.

[PeteandJoan]

I love that site.

[mlh]

Have watched it for several years.
Lynwood

[sambam]

New to me! Love it! Thanks for posting.

[mtheo]

Went fishing there last summer. Was lots of fun

[BB_TX]

Watching the bear cam a few minutes ago. Two bears at the falls. Cam rotated downstream and 4 more bears a ways down stream near right bank and another a little farther. Then 10-12 people (tour group?) walked into the river also along right bank upstream from those 4 bears. They moved out about 1/3 of the way into the river. Distances can be deceiving, but appeared less than 100 yards from the 4 bears. After a few minutes the 4 bears started moving upstream angling toward the left bank until they were even with the people, who did not move. Based on the size of the bears and people, I would guess less than 50 yards separation. Bears then disappeared onto the left bank. I know little about bear behavior, but that just did not appear to be sound judgement.

[Lenny K]

Thanks for the site. Six bears fishing when I opened it up.

[Steve and Susie]

This is one site that really interested me, but low and behold when I clicked on it, a box came up saying my browser does not support that. Not being computer smart, guess I lose on this one. But am sure everyone enjoyed it very much.

[ranch560]

The site has been especially good lately as the return run of sockeyes has been monumental and just seeing the fish try to make up and over the falls is almost as good as watching the bears. The fish are so plentiful many are jumping and actually hitting the bears A mom (sow) and 3 cubs were fishing earlier at the top of the falls and I couldn't stop watching!! Another sow and 3 cubs are across the river and 2 of the 3 cubs just caught their own fish (very unusual).

[BB_TX]

Ranch560 - I mentioned above about watching the bears when a large group of people walked out into the river near the bears. Is that common? Tour groups?

[ranch560]

Originally Posted by BB_TX

Ranch560 - I mentioned above about watching the bears when a large group of people walked out into the river near the bears. Is that common? Tour groups?

Katmai Lodge and several other facilities are located just across the river. A bridge crosses and leads to a viewing platform just overlooking the falls. Normally several NPS rangers are nearby at all times protecting both bears and people. You can surf the web and there are many pictures of the platform and bridge. And it is common to see people at various times as they cross back and forth. Also many of the visitors will fish while they are there also, albeit the bears chase them away at times. Not for the faint hearted!!

https://www.nps.gov/katm/planyourvis...rooks-Camp.pdf

https://www.nps.gov/katm/learn/photo...s-Camp-Map.pdf