[CoyoteCreationsNW]

The brown color is a fairly common variation of these bears. It is more apparent when their fur is dry. This one was shoulder deep in the river and it was raining steadily. Not a dry patch in sight. The salmon are truly the life blood of the Great Bear Rainforest ecosystem.

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[Callie]

James - A great sighting and image too!

 

[NorthernFocus]

I'm always amazed at how comfortable bears seem to be in water. The cinnamon/brown color morph isn't found in Alaska.

 

[CoyoteCreationsNW]

I'm always amazed at how comfortable bears seem to be in water. The cinnamon/brown color morph isn't found in Alaska.

This image was taken in British Columbia. Probably not technically correct to call it a cinnamon bear because most of the coat was black or very dark brown. Several of the bears I photographed had this brown/tan fur around head and shoulders. Maybe just a trick of light being wet in brighter light. Different bear, different day with the brown/tan collar. I certainly defer to you knowledge of Alaska's wildlife.

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[ssheipel]

Great shot. As for the place of salmon in the food chain... terrifying the iffy state of salmon numbers!