Tag Archives: Ely

Destination, Photography, Travel, Wildlife

NORTH AMERICAN BEAR CENTER – Ely, MN #exploremn

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NORTH AMERICAN BEAR CENTER

The North American Bear Center is a nonprofit museum with indoor and outdoor viewing of live black bears in natural habit with a pond and waterfall. The 2.5-acre enclosure is home to four resident bears – Ted, Tasha and Lucky, and Holly. The educational mission of the NABC is to replace myths about bears with reality; with over 50 video exhibits of wild Minnesota bears, a wide variety of daily programs, and a hands-on children’s area, people of all ages learn bear behavior from the bears themselves. It is recommended to allow at least a two-hour visit for this unique, world-class experience that the whole family will enjoy! ~Explore Minnesota

If you are ever near Ely, MN you will want to stop by the North American Bear Center.  I happened to be in the Ely area this last weekend visiting the International Wolf Center on the opposite end of town.

I was traveling with two other photographers; we were fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time.  We had finished viewing the expansive exhibit and went out on the observation deck.  No bears were out in the main enclosure at the time.  We did notice four bear center staff off in the distance with a photographer.  As luck would have it, we were waved over for a more up close and personal view.  This was certainly a better perspective to capture the bears.  There was a local professional photographer there shooting to provide updated photos of the bears at the center.  We were allowed to shoot through the fence from that location.  It was magnificent to see Lucky and Holly sparing, rolling around in the grass and just simply being bears.

Our view prior to being waved over

Our view after being waved over

View from observation deck during a scheduled feeding

Bear-sized Cong filled with grapes
Eating apricots
At the feeding platform
Making short work of the snak
Lucky all done snacking

Check out the North American Bear Center website | fb page

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Destination, Photography, Travel, Wildlife

INTERNATIONAL WOLF CENTER – Ely, MN #exploremn

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INTERNATIONAL WOLF CENTER

The International Wolf Center (IWC) is a research and educational organization based in Ely, Minnesota.  Its mission is to “advances the survival of wolf populations by teaching about wolves, their relationship to wildlands and the human role in their future.” The Wolf Center operates an interpretive center in Ely open to the public.  Visitors can view captive “ambassador wolves” in natural surroundings through large windows.  There is much to learn about wolves through a variety of exhibits and programs. This organization lies within Superior National Forest. It also sponsors research symposia and offsite educational programs, publishes International Wolf magazine, and provides information about wolves via its website.

In response to wolf controversies, the Wolf Center does not take a stand on how wolves should be managed (such as by hunting or trapping), as long as healthy wolf populations are maintained. Its policy is to provide the most accurate, up-to-date information possible about wolves and let people make their own decisions. ~wikipedia

If you are ever near Ely, MN you will want to stop by the International Wolf Center.  I happened to be in the Ely area this last weekend during a photography trip with two other gentlemen to the Minnesota North Shore.  We stayed in a cabin about 45 minutes from Lake Superior; just outside of Isabella, MN on Hwy 1.  The weather wasn’t cooperating for sunrise or sunset one day; this was a welcomed alternate destination given our close proximity to Ely.

THE PACK

Wolf Pack

It is pretty amazing to see a pack of wolves up close and personal albeit through glass.  The staff give  fantastic informational presentations about the wolves and even moose.  If you are want to see how a pack of wolves feed, you can do that too.  There is a What’s for Dinner program every Saturday at 7 p.m.

MORE IMAGES OF THE WOLVES

You don’t have to look far to find controversy surrounding wolves in Minnesota.  I found a story about a hunter and his encounter with wolves too.  Wolves are beautiful wild creatures and I hope there will always be a place for them in Minnesota.

Check out the International Wolf Center website | fb page

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