A Bounty of Wildlife
In Alaska, the clash between man and beast makes the headlines on a weekly basis. Living in the "big" city can lull you into a false sense of security. That is why it was a shock to hear that a brown bear was shot less than a mile from my home. I know there is a salmon stream there, so I should not be surprised. But, good golly, a brown bear! The moose are easy to get used to. They are big and ever present, but not aggressive unless provoked. Black bears are scavengers and only a danger when they become used to being around humans (which is why you can get a ticket for leaving your garbage out the night before pick up and for having a bird feeder within a bear's reach). Beaver's may drop a tree on your house (yep, almost happened to me last year). And porcupines are really only a problem if you have a curious and frustratingly unintelligent canine. But BROWN bears... hmmm... they can do some serious damage. Still, I chose to live here in Anchorage and part of the thrill of it is that fine line between civilization and the wilderness. I am a little more cautious before letting the children or the dog in the backyard to play than I was just a week ago. But we all are thrilled when we see these critters, and so I can take any inconvenience with a grain of salt.
