Going back in my archive to September, 2010 and a trip to the Great Bear Rainforest on the coast of British Columbia and off-shore islands. Access is by plane or boat only. We flew into Bella Bella and boarded the Island Roamer, a 68' sailboat for a trip north up the inland passage to explore the world's largest, coastal, temperate rainforest. This was an ecotour with 12 passengers, two guides, a captain, a first mate and a cook. The focus of the week long trip was wildlife (Grizzlies, Black bears, Whales, Eagles, Wolves, etc.), also to meet the First Nation people and learn about their history and culture, the natural history of the area, and of course to see the stunning scenery. We went during the rainy season when the salmon would be running, but we weren't salmon fishermen. We were hear primarily to see the rare and seldom seen Komode Bear as they emerge from the impenetrable rainforest to catch the salmon coming up the rain swollen streams and creeks.

The Komode Bear (Ursus Americanus, Komodei) is the white phase of the American Black Bear and is the result of a recessive gene. Their total number is around 400. They exist only in the Great Bear Rainforest of B.C. with a little overflow into the Alaskan panhandle. Due to their low number and the dense rainforest, they are virtually impossible to see except during the salmon runs. There are none in zoos. The native legend tells of their ancestors, and a time long ago when the land was all white. The Great Spirit deemed that every tenth Black Bear would be born white to remind them of that time.

Going back in my archive to September, 2010 and a trip to the Great Bear Rainforest on the coast of British Columbia and off-shore islands. Access is by plane or boat only. We flew into Bella Bella and boarded the Island Roamer, a 68' sailboat for a trip north up the inland passage to explore the world's largest, coastal, temperate rainforest. This was an ecotour with 12 passengers, two guides, a captain, a first mate and a cook. The focus of the week long trip was wildlife (Grizzlies, Black bears, Whales, Eagles, Wolves, etc.), also to meet the First Nation people and learn about their history and culture, the natural history of the area, and of course to see the stunning scenery. We went during the rainy season when the salmon would be running, but we weren't salmon fishermen. We were hear primarily to see the rare and seldom seen Komode Bear as they emerge from the impenetrable rainforest to catch the salmon coming up the rain swollen streams and creeks.

The Komode Bear (Ursus Americanus, Komodei) is the white phase of the American Black Bear and is the result of a recessive gene. Their total number is around 400. They exist only in the Great Bear Rainforest of B.C. with a little overflow into the Alaskan panhandle. Due to their low number and the dense rainforest, they are virtually impossible to see except during the salmon runs. There are none in zoos. The native legend tells of their ancestors, and a time long ago when the land was all white. The Great Spirit deemed that every tenth Black Bear would be born white to remind them of that time.