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The Bear Essentials

Canada has spectacular and pristine temperate wildernesses. The coastal forests of the Pacific northwest support some of the densest populations of bears anywhere, with large numbers of both Black Bears and Grizzly Bears, plus small and highly localised populations of the mythical Spirit Bear. It is hardly surprising, this magical area was named the Great Bear Rainforest.

For much of the year, bears stay deep in the forest, remote and inaccessible. But in September when huge numbers of salmon migrate up the rivers, they descend to the valleys to gorge themselves and become far more visible (and in places tolerant).

September is also the time to see Polar Bears on the shores of Hudson Bay, not in their familiar surrounds of snow and ice, but instead on tundra vegetation glowing with rich autumnal colours. While the ice bear might be out of context in such environments, they are no less imposing and photogenic.