Cycle of September Bears

It is very different in September here at Brooks camp than in July.  The river is full of bears eating fish.  It is fun watching them as they have gained about 30% of their body wieght.  Which is pretty amazing considering that is a lot of weight to gain in just 5 months.  They waddle now down to the river.  Jump in and catch a fish or two or five or ten.  The fish are easier to catch as they are dying after spawning.  Then the bears lumber out of the water.  They don't move too far from the river.  They find a spot in the trees along the shore or on the beach, dig a hole and sleep.  They may sleep for an hour or two or maybe the whole afternoon then it is back to the river for more fish.  Sleep- drag themselves to the river-eat-drag themselves out of the river-sleep.  Once in a while you will see them playing.  I have seen two males boxing with each other.  One bear floating down the river while chewing on a large branch.  I have watched them jump up and down on fallen trees hanging over the river.  But for the most part it has been eat and sleep and eat and sleep.  What a life the bears have.