A mother an daughter from Texas got a thrill when they flew across Cook Inlet to see the brown bears that are staging along the beach as they wait for the salmon to arrive. But it’s also June, and June is mating season for bears here in Alaska. The story goes that there was a very nice looking sow (a more blonde colored bear) hanging out, eating grass. She had recently chased off her two-year-old cubs, and had come into heat – ready to begin her two-year cycle all over again. There was a big old boar staying very close to her – but he was being a bit careless. Perhaps he was just tired from all the sex. Maybe he needed a nap, or to eat more to get his energy back. Could be he’s not seeing or hearing very good anymore. In any event, as often happens with wild animals – when the dominant breeding animal is distracted, that’s when the younger, less-dominant animals sneak in for a little action. Hey, they want to breed too, and the sow doesn’t seem to mind who does it. Our guests observed this trio for quite a while, and told me that the big bear walked away three times, only to come back and have to chase the younger brown bear away. Below is some photos showing the action, as it happened. We are coming up on prime time to observe brown bears in Alaska, and many of our guests enjoy the thrill of flying across for a day trip while staying at Majestic View Bed and Breakfast. Enjoy the photos.
A lovely sow brown bear pauses from eating the lush, green grass.
Mr. Big, her suitor, has been busy meeting her needs, and his, but takes his eyes off her for a bit to go for a walk and look for greener pastures.
Young Boar “I can’t believe my good fortune. Pretty sure I can get away with this, at least for a little bit!”
Sow bear: “you better hurry up cuz he’s coming back!”
Mr. Big (lumbering along): “Hey, get the heck away from her, before I come over there and show you who’s boss!”
Mr. Big stands between the sow, and the younger suitor. He means business. The younger bear looks longingly at what he was able to briefly attain, obviously hoping for more, but he knows he cannot compete. The sow, who knows what she’s thinking – but I imagine she will continue eating grass and be bred by two or more boars over the next week or two. Interesting behavior from our wonderful Alaskan Brown Bears – who never cease to entertain..
