Close encounters of the bear kind.Byline: Debbie LaPlaca CHARLTON - Would you wade across a creek if 21 Alaskan brown bears were fishing for salmon 20 feet away? Wildlife photographer Donald P. Gorczynski did, and his video journal, "The Bears of McNeil River The McNeil River is a river on the eastern drainage of the Alaska Peninsula near its base and conjunction with the Alaska mainland, at 59°073'N Latitude / 154°14' W Longitude. ," proves it. Two years ago, Mr. Gorczynski, who has lived in Charlton for 18 years, was granted a five-day visit to the McNeil River State Game Sanctuary and Refuge in Alaska after his sixth attempt at an annual lottery. "I knew I wasn't going to the petting zoo," Mr. Gorczynski said of the July 2007 trip that brought him within a few feet of the anything-but-gentle giants capable of felling a moose with one swipe of a paw (tool) PAW - Physics Analysis Workbench. . His first close encounter made clear that the bears were the alpha species, and it was best to stay out of the way. "Our group of nine was spread out when a 700-pound male came galloping gal·lop·ing adj. 1. Of or resembling a gallop, especially in rhythm or rapidity. 2. Developing or progressing at an accelerated rate: galloping technology. 3. down a path at a fairly good clip. The ranger moved us off the path, and the bear passed me doing about 20 miles per hour, about 12 feet from me. That got my adrenaline pumping a little bit." The approximately 200-square-mile sanctuary, established by the Alaska Legislature The Alaska Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Alaska. It is a bicameral institution, consisting of the lower Alaska House of Representatives, with 40 members, and the upper house Alaska Senate, with 20 members. in 1967, is undisturbed by human development. McNeil River and nearby Mikfik Creek traverse the preserve and empty into Kamishak Bay. From June to August, the waterways fill with the salmon that attract the world's largest concentration of brown bears, which are the same species as grizzly bears. It is a place where as many as 72 bears can be observed at one time. "I initially got interested in McNeil River when I read a book about it chronicling the life of the bears at the river," Mr. Gorczynski said. Sanctuary access is awarded by lottery to 185 visitors per year. No more than 10 at a time camp in tents for five days. Pontoon pontoon, one of a number of floats used chiefly to support a bridge, to raise a sunken ship, or to float a hydroplane or a floating dock. Pontoons have been built of wood, of hides stretched over wicker frames, of copper or tin sheet metal sheathed over wooden plane is the only means of transportation in and out. Each passenger is allowed a total weight of 250 pounds, which includes themselves, food and survival gear. "I weigh 200 pounds, so that meant I had about 50 pounds left. Camera equipment weighs roughly 30 pounds, so I had a choice whether I was going to eat or take my camera equipment. I chose the camera equipment," Mr. Gorczynski said. Visitors are accompanied by an armed ranger from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Upon landing, Mr. Gorczynski and his group were greeted by Ranger Tom Griffin Tom Griffin is the name of multiple people:
The group hiked two miles to and from the camp each day to witness the bears fishing and interacting at Mikfik Creek. Although the bears passively eyed the spectators, potential danger was always just a moment away. "I was taking pictures when a 900-pound (bear) and 800-pound (bear) started fighting over a fish. One bear was running directly at me, and the ranger yelled `Hey bear!' The bear looked up and took an immediate left and missed me by a couple feet," Mr. Gorczynski said. During one evening hike back to camp, he said, the group had to wade across the creek with 21 bears scattered in the water close by. When asked what he found most compelling about the trip, Mr. Gorczynski said, "The uniqueness of McNeil River and the privilege of being there with these bears that allow human beings to see what their day-to-day lives are all about." According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Web site, no one has ever been injured by a bear at McNeil River, and no bears have been killed by visitors. For a year following the trip, Mr. Gorczynski spent weekends editing his photographs and producing a video journal with the assistance of Charlton resident Bob Polselli. He said part of the reason he decided to produce the journal was to raise public awareness of the sanctuary and its inhabitants
The game is based loosely on the concepts from SameGame. . "People may not be aware of how special this place is. I'm just trying to get the word out. There are some hunters trying to get that parcel of land open to bear hunting." When it comes to career paths, photography was not Mr. Gorczynski's first pursuit; he is a full-time general manager for a local retail store. Regarding photography, he said, "I do this on the side, but it doesn't pay the bills." His interest in wildlife photography began 15 years ago on a moose tour in New Hampshire New Hampshire, one of the New England states of the NE United States. It is bordered by Massachusetts (S), Vermont, with the Connecticut R. forming the boundary (W), the Canadian province of Quebec (NW), and Maine and a short strip of the Atlantic Ocean (E). . For the most part, he is self-taught, but he has received formal instruction from established photographers such as John Shaw John Shaw may refer to any of the following people:
Mr. Gorczynski, who is chairman of the Charlton Cultural Council, gave two photographs of the McNeil River bears to the Charlton Public Library for its re-opening, and presented his video journal at the library in April. A gallery of photos from the McNeil River trip and others is available at www.naturewildphotography.com. ART: PHOTOS CUTLINE: (1) A large male Alaskan brown bear stands up for a better view. (2) Two young bears take a break. (3) A mother bear feeds her cubs. (4) Wildlife photographer Donald P. Gorczynski of Charlton sits near Mikfik Creek in Alaska while several bears troll for fish in the background. (5) An American bald eagle bald eagle Species of sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) that occurs inland along rivers and large lakes. Strikingly handsome, it is the only eagle native solely to North America, and it has been the U.S. national bird since 1782. The adult, about 40 in. swoops in to grab a morsel mor·sel n. 1. A small piece of food. 2. A tasty delicacy; a tidbit. 3. A small amount; a piece: a morsel of gossip. 4. . PHOTOG pho·tog n. Informal A person who takes photographs, especially as a profession; a photographer. : DONALD P. GORCZYNSKI PHOTOS |
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