Glacier Bear~

On By cindy knokeIn Conservation, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES, TRAVEL REVIEWS, Wild Life
A light-colored bear standing near a tree in a lush green forest.

You can see her spirit in her souful eyes.

A young bear peeking out from behind a tree, partially hidden by greenery.

She has many names, Glacier Bear, Ghost Bear, Spirit Bear.

A light-colored bear standing near a tree in a lush green forest.

She is a Leucistic Alaskan Glacier Black Bear with black skin and translucent/pale fur, and is one of the rarest animals on earth. She is rarely seen or photographed and her population amongst Alaskan Black Bears is less then 1%.

A close-up of a brown bear standing on a rocky area surrounded by greenery.

She is more rare than her cousins, The Spirit Bears in British Columbia, and we watched her for about half an hour from a skiff on The Chilcat River Eagle Preserve near Haines Alaska..

A light-colored bear standing next to a tree in a green forest setting.

She was entirely unafraid and very curious about us.

A bear sitting beside a tree in a dense, green forest.

I now know why indigenous people’s call her Ghost Bear, even up close, and we were close, she has a gauzy, ghostlike, appearance.

A close-up of a light-colored bear standing near a tree, surrounded by lush green foliage.

We are on a three generation trip to Canada and Alaska, introducing the seven year old twin grandsons to all the wonder.

A close-up of a bear partially hidden behind a tree stump, surrounded by lush green foliage.

But none of us, including my camera and I, were prepared for the the most amazing wonder of them all. I forgot all about my camera settings since I have never photographed a glacial ghost bear before!

A light-colored bear sitting among green foliage in a natural setting.

Cheers to you from soulful Spirit of Alaska~

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256 thoughts on “Glacier Bear~”

    1. Hi Leslie. Always so wonderful to hear from you. I still have your paintings of the twins displayed in pride of place in the entry way, and they always remark on “your friend who painted us.” They were like, what, two, then? Soon to be eight now. I remember you telling me about your boys climbing into each other cribs. Life is beautiful and so are you Leslie. Love to you ꨄ︎

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    1. The most interesting thing was that she never left. She was 10 feet away. She was completely curious about us. She seemed almost lonely. I will never forget her ꨄ︎

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  9. The bear has got melancholic eyes, like it has seen things twohundred years ago in the final gathering in de midst of the permanent winter. Everything and everybody became transparent and then vaporised into the frozen air, only to be seen much, much later and very seldom, as the ghost near the river.

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    1. Goosebumps. Yes. To me she was an Angel Bear. She never left us. I wasn’t driving the skiff, if I was, I would have waited for her to leave first ꨄ︎

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  13. My goodness what an amazing sight to see. Positively gorgeous photographs. I always feel like it is a blessing to see any animal in the wild but one this near extinction is a rare treat. Thank you for sharing this.

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  14. Oh my! She is absolutely wonderful! What fabulous shots. Lucky you and your family to see this beautiful animal. Thank you for sharing, Cindy. I am bear-obsessed and have never seen a bear like this. Soulful eyes, gauzy, and ghostlike…wow!

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  15. What a fantastic creature to capture with your lens. Her eyes do look very gentle and yes, melancholic. A beautiful glacial/ghost/spirit bear.

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  22. Your photos are fantastic, Cindy! Thanks for sharing them as they’re so gorgeous. I always thought that the kermode bears (Ursus americanus kermodei) of British Columbia and the Leucistic Alaskan Glacier Black Bears are part of the same sub-species. When I looked them up I saw that they were long ago separated. The kermode bears tend to be very light, almost a blond, while as you point out, the Leucistic bears are silver. Cheers.

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    1. Yes. All of them are magical beyond belief, but this Alaskan one’s rarity, and her curious and charming personality, makes her someone I will never forget ꨄ︎

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  23. Wow, i’ve never seen one before even in pictures. These are great captures. How lucky to be in a three generation trip. Have fun.

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  26. Oh my gosh! She’s a beautiful bear, Cindy! Thank you for sharing this beautiful and rare animal. You and yours be well! 🙏🏻❤️☺️

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  34. Now that would be a delight Cindy. And the timing for the young ones to witness and take into their adulthood may encourage them to keep them safe for one more generation at least. It is moments like that, that move us. Beautifully done and thank you for sharing something I did not know existed 🤗❤️🙏

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    1. Your comment gives me goosebumps. Looking into the eyes of this beautiful creature deeply touches the soul. Children are born with this awareness. It just needs to be encouraged. Be well my friend ꨄ︎

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      1. I know how you feel. I was fishing outside with friends and a lovely family of humpback whales came up right beside us. It touches you so deeply those moments, and like you, you almost feel like you’ve been blessed with something so beautifully profound. Thank you for the share of your moment kind lady 🤗❤️🙏

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  37. Nice photos, Cindy, even if you were a bit rushed. I’ve seen one of these bears only once and at a distance (from the Captain’s fish boat). Would be amazing to see one up close.

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  45. Wow, we’re heading to Alaska (also a family trip!), it would be magical to see a Glacial Bear – you were very blessed to spend time with such a beautiful creature, Cindy!

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