Up Close with a Grizzly!

Hi! I saw and learned so much today on the bus "safari" into Denali--but none of it was as exciting as when we saw a very large, male grizzly strolling ahead of us next to the road. Our bus driver turned off the engine so we wouldn't frighten him away. We slowly coasted down the road towards him. When we were within 20 feet, the bear turned, looked at our bus, and then decided to come take a look at us! He had a bloody spot on his nose and a torn ear. This is the time of year when the male bears like to make friends with a female in order to mate. I think this old guy had been been checking out a female who had rejected him with a slap on the face and a big bite on the ear! The bear came very close to where I was on the bus. I was no more than 3 feet from him as I looked down out of the front windshield of the bus. He looked straight back at me and the driver who quickly started the engine. Our driver said he decided it was time to go because he sensed that the bear was ready to try to get into the bus with us. I have a great picture that I will post tomorrow. The internet service here is terrible, but tomorrow I will be at Iditarod Camp where the internet service should be better. Wait til you see it! I also have lots of other wildlife pictures you will enjoy. Mrs. A.