I mentioned early this week that I saw a couple black bears run across the road last weekend. It was nice to see them. but for those who don’t often get a chance to see bears in person, you can watch bears on your computer.
We’re still a couple months away from official Fat Bear Week, but the cameras at Brooks Falls in Katmai Park in Alaska have been turned on. Each year, as the salmon begin their run up the river, brown bears gather to give them one more test.
As if dodging predators in the ocean all winter isn’t bad enough, the salmon then have to swim up a river and leap up over waterfalls along the way. But wait. There’s more. As they are trying to leap up the waterfalls, they also have to hope they don’t get chomped by a bear. And if that’s not enough, getting injured isn’t really an option because there are tons of seagulls waiting around to grab anyone who doesn’t swim away fast enough.
But it is rather fascinating. And far better than constant doom scrolling on line, treating yourself to all the negative news for the day. Even the salmon have a better chance than getting in that trap.
Now I will say, this morning I ended up wasting a good half hour I probably could have been doing something far more productive, but just like the bears, you have to get ready for Fat Bear Week.
Come September, we will have a chance to vote for who we think is the fattest bear. This is not fat shaming of bears. This is about survival. The fatter the bear, the better chance of making it through the winter. And it’s fun to try to figure out who the ultimate winner will be. So while the bears are packing on the pounds, I’m watching the bears, trying to work out my Fat Bear bracket.
And honestly, watching bears watching salmon beats the heck out of doom scrolling. But if the world is about to end, maybe ask the salmon to hold up a sign. Or maybe the bears. Just so I know.
