I couldn’t resist giving you a sneak peak of my success photographing grizzlies this fall.
Again I would ask that you not ‘steal’ my photos. I like putting up shots in a good enough resolution so they are clear. But that means they are easier to work with from my site. So be fair and remember that I sell these photographs. Send me a comment if you want to purchase a print.
That’s all for now!
Categories: Photography
Lardeau Valley Time 
Loved the grizzlies! They look so close and so relaxed, I feel I could reach out and touch them. How lucky you are to be able to visit them in their wild and natural setting!
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I love your pictures. We are going to be in the area in September. I do not claim to be a guru about bears but I do understand they are wild animals and I will be carrying bear spray. I can’t really seem to find places to go on the river, but I suspect they are really on the Lardeau river in places. Can you recommend any areas that would increase my chances of seeing them? thanks so much in advance. Jerry
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Thank you for your comment. You are right, bears are wild animals. However, there are a number of places you can photograph from your car or just outside your car. The spawning channel at Meadow Creek starts to attract bears late August through to mid October with Sept the key time. At the same time travelling up and down the Lardeau River from Meadow Creek to the base of Trout Lake will hopefully give you some good shots of grizzlies. Again from your vehicle or just outside. They tend to be very preoccupied with salmon so tolerate people a bit better. Just keep a distance and don’t stay to long, which does stress them, and you should have luck. By the way, the highway along the Lardeau River is a gravel road.
Good hunting and maybe I’ll see you there. I’ll be in my red truck.
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Awesome thanks for taking the time to comment. Two more things. would you say I should go out in the early morning or late evening as opposed to other times of the day? Lastly where exactly is the spawning channel at Meadow creek? Thanks again for taking your time to reply. Good luck in your own search for photo opportunities.
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Some people will swear you have to be at the channel or up the river first thing in the morning or last thing in the afternoon. Most of my photos are taken during the daytime, early afternoon. So there are no rules.
The spawning channel is up at Meadow Creek. You turn left at the sign, go up the road until it finally divides for good and go down the left arm. At the end of that road you are at the channel. Cross the bridge and follow the road/track all the way around. So you will go past the pond and on. Drive slowly and watch the channels. No guarantee but a good chance.
Otherwise, continue through Meadow Creek and up the highway/gravel road. You are more likely to see grizzlies after the second bridge on up to Trout Lake, about a 35 min drive. Particularly around Healey Creek bridge and Hope creek bridge.
Good luck.
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Awesome, thanks for taking the time to respond.
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Hello, You have been so kind and I hate to trouble you again, one more question. I am coming there in September and thinking of coming back the first part of October. Do you think the salmon will still be running then and the bear feeding at that time?
Thanks again
Jerry
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Good Morning We stayed in your area the other day and are thinking of returning. When we were there the salmon were still in the deep water. One of the gentleman there said they were running a little late and that they had not quite moved into the shallows to die where the bear would go after them. I was thinking of coming back the evenings of Oct 1,2, possibly the 3rd. Can you tell me if you think the salmon will still be there then and would I have a good opportunity to see grizzlies on the Lardeau at that time? Thanks Date: Mon, 8 Apr 2013 23:53:07 +0000 To: jerry_sanderfield@hotmail.com
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Jerry, I can’t really answer that. The fish were late and the eagles are now gathering along the river. I would think the bears should be down by then. I do hope so. One of the reasons for their absence is that the huckleberry crop in the mountains was really good this year. But with the cooler weather that should be ending. I plan to be looking for them then. Hope that helps. No guarantee. C
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Hello Again Do you know if it is to late for me to come up to view the grizzlies? Are the salmon still there? I would be arriving in 3 days. Thanks again for all your time and advice. J Date: Tue, 24 Sep 2013 16:29:52 +0000 To: jerry_sanderfield@hotmail.com
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We still haven’t seen any grizzlies. The salmon are still in the river and the eagles are arriving. But I don’t know what to say about the griz. They aren’t even in the spawning channel. So, if this isn’t out of your way, they could be here in the next few days. Or they may not show up until later in Oct. I was going to email you to this effect, but you got to me first. If you come, drive up the Lardeau River to Hope bridge and Healy bridge. That’s where they come. It’s up close to Trout Lake. Catherine
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Thanks again, we were there on the 21st and did get to see one grizzly. My wife has to go back home. I may come up that way but it sounds like the longer I can wait the better. You mentioned 2 bridges. I cant remember the name but one of the bridges was name then there was more of a wooden bridge closer to Trout lake. Is that the one you are referring to? I also noticed a bridge from the main road that seemed as though it was on private property and I stayed away from it. It just seemed to me like the first 2 bridges by Trout lake are the best. It was between those 2 we saw the grizzly. I may head that way around the 4th. Keep me posted if something changes in the mean time. I have to head home from Calgary the 7th, so I cant wait to long to come. Thanks for the info. Jerry Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2013 05:18:11 +0000 To: jerry_sanderfield@hotmail.com
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