Bear-necessities

Today I had a Bear Watching tour booked in the evening, so during the day I did some errands and walked around Tofino town. The sun had come out, and the weather was perfect.

It's a lovely place - really quiet (although I understand that isn't the case once summer really kicks in), friendly, filled with local shops/cafés/galleries and all with a stunningly beautiful back drop.

Then the Bear tour. It was incredible.
We went out on an open top Zodiac boat, with a local native guide. He was really knowledgable about the wildlife in the area and felt hopeful that we would see some exciting stuff.
We headed out amongst the Islands, really picking up speed! We found the first bear easily, and then on a separate Island we spotted a mama bear with 2 little cubs playing along the beach (there was also an eagle in a tree overhead keeping a rather close eye).
We then spotted another way up on a cliff face just a little further along.
Then the best one of all, behind a huge rock, a male had found a feast! We pulled right up close. We could even hear him chewing and swallowing his dinner!!
Next we found a young female (known as Jackie to a local photographer) eating all the berries he could find, and finally one more walking along the beach rocks.
Even through all of this, we were also spotting Bald Eagles, Puffins, Otters and a Sea Lion!

When we started to head back to land, even though the sun was still out, it was freezing. I was very glad to get back to a big bowl of soup for my dinner.