Shiretoko – Bears! October 18 2011, 10:02am via thespudgun.com

Gotta say – pretty stoked to see bears for the first time!! Even if it was from a boat, fairly far away it still triggered that childish rush of… ‘look daddy!! – BEARS!!’

Last weekend we made the mission up to Hokkaido’s far North East to visit the World Heritage Site of The Shiretoko Penisular. We had a couple of days and being watched by hundreds of deer a generally a thriving mass of wildlife, exploring lakes, mountain and waterfalls… Hot waterfalls! – another first! – カムイワッカの滝 or Kamuiwakka Falls begins as a hot spring in the volcanic mountains whose hot waters flow all the way to the ocean!

It was just coming into full autumn when we arrived and got more colorful by the day as the whole peninsular turned into reds, yellows and varying shades of green. Scored great weather and absolutely loved the whole area!

エゾリス！(Ezo Risu) - Hokkaido Squirrel with a face full of food.

Horny.

Kamuiwakka Falls (center of frame) flowing from it's source into the ocean.

Solo seagull.

Bears scouting for salmon in the river mouth.

Shiretoko lighthouse poking out from the autumn colours.

Sunrise - about 5:15 am.

Autumn.

Full moon rising.

Sunset from Shiretoko