alaskan

Anan Bear Observatory is about 30miles South of Wrangell,SE Alaska.The last part of the trip is walking 3/4 of a mile long trail thru the bear country.The Observatory offers a relative safety and the visitors like to hang around a few hours watching bears fishing. It is common to meet bears face to face on the trail but most of them will not try to approach you.There are exceptions, the most prominent culprit I ever met was a brown/grizzly female nicknamed Georgi which loved to terrorize people. As far as I know Georgi never hurt anybody but I suspect some underwear had to be changed later.When she got bored with harassing people on the trail she would move close to the Observatory to control the access/departures. In another words when Georgi showed up nobody went anywhere till she,the Boss,permitted so. The USFS built an outhouse about 40feet away from the Observatory and Georgi seemed to understand that the visitors would have to use it now and then. So she would guard the outhouse and desperate people screaming and cussing made her day.One day she decided to take the game even further.......

On the trail.


Guard duty can be boring...


The demolition is underway.


"You do not like it? What can you do to stop me?"


Here comes the USFS calvary to protect the Government property.Armed with a fog horn and a pepper spray..


Face to face negotiation.The USFS team has superiority in numbers.


Georgi ignored the fog horn but could not take the nagging and threats of being charged for the destruction of Gov`t property so she decided to leave.

nikron7 Loc: Indianapolis

Fantastic series Ivan. I often wonder what you have to deal with to get some of your shots. Sounds like a fog horn and pepper spray ought to be part of your gear. Great shots and thanks for sharing them with us.

Swamp Gator Loc: Coastal South Carolina

Cool series!

rufus1 Loc: Winter Haven, Florida

You are the best bear photographer, always keeping our interest. Thanks for giving us this opportunity to see Alaska

Bruce with a Canon Loc: Islip

Always a treat to see your work.!

Mary1946 Loc: Minnesota

Enjoyed the story about Georgi and the great series of pictures. Sitting in the safety and comfort of my home I could chuckle.

BigBear Loc: Northern CT

Way Cool !!!

Horseart Loc: Alabama

Love the story, but wonder, with all you do, how on God's beautiful earth, you are still alive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sdaupanner Loc: South Dakota /New England

Wild life a new word with a new meaning keep them coming it is a joy to see that not all is happy in the forest.

grhound Loc: Maine

What a great series. You are so lucky to have the opportunity to get the shots you do.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

Wowsiers!!
What a story!!!
Pat

Horseart Loc: Alabama

Can't keep from giggling @ the thought of someone being in the little "home away from home" and the bear pushing it over.
OR, did it ever occur to any of you that the bear just might have to "go"??? :lol:
I know, I have a whacko sense of humor. Sorry!!

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

I hope it is just the camera angle but those women look pretty close to that bear. They look cool as cucumbers also. Thanks for the photos and the story.

Artsmith Loc: Grayson, Georgia

great series. I would have to have something a little heavier than bear spray in my holster.

NikonJohn Loc: Indiana U.S.A.

That's too funny!

It must be a relief to know that the forest service is out there protecting Alaska's outhouses. ;)

So is this what the bears do on the weekend when they have had to much to drink, tip outhouses? :lol: