Berry Blue Beasts

Blueberries, a healthy way to keep one in shape and a delicious treat, but in this case it tells of a beast in blue. In Alaska where blueberries can be found, they have been known to cover the ground in huge mats that many creatures find absolutely irresistible. On this day, there is a creature has decided to pay a visit to their blueberries fields and enjoy the fruits before him. He is an Alaskan caribou and a large one at that. With giant antlers over his head covered in velvet that are as tall as a twelve year old and robust enough to rip apart any tree that stands in his way, he is a beast to behold. In his prime, he can shake off just about any challenger, but not all odds are desirable when food is the prize.

It is September, when the time of the blueberries is starting to flourish on the Alaskan tundra. Creatures from all around gather to take part in this grand bounty of the north and prepare themselves for the harsh winter ahead. This caribou, who is named Azure is one of the many who have come at this time to take part in the spoils. However, competition is fierce and not all are willing to share what is available. Especially when it comes to other creatures who need to store as much fat as possible in order to hibernate through the coldest part of the year, like grizzly bears.

Azure himself had managed to get himself into such a situation. A young cinnamon colored grizzly bear, named Pabi, has come down into the valley to feast. He is only about four years old and is still grasping the ways of the north but one thing he does know is he better put on the pounds now before it's too late. Most of his time previous to his arrival in the valleys was spent catching salmon in the Kenai River, when they were swimming in droves. Now, with salmon numbers dwindling and not wanted to compete with bigger bears for prime catching rights, Pabi decided to try elsewhere, which brought him to the valleys.

This event has brought together these two giants of the north, and both are hungry. The scene started with Azure grazing in the blueberry shrubs, moving along as his herd kept eating.

Pabi has just entered the valley by means of following the river below where all the caribou are grazing, aside from Azure. Following his nose, the young grizzly starts to climb up the hill to where the most succulent and most ripe blueberries are growing. This leads him right into the path where Azure happens to be stationed. Not wanted to share any of the food before him and seeing Azure as a possible dinner option, Pabi lets out a low roar and runs right at Azure.

Azure wheels around to face the oncoming bear which in his case is usually not a very smart move. During the caribou migration, grizzly bears will often try to attack and kill any caribou they find, if they can catch them. But seeing that the bear is still young, Azure gambles his luck on trying to face off against his oncoming assailant. Pabi tries a swat at the caribou's antlers, knocking off pieces of velvet as he connects. Shaking off the hit, Azure charges forward, catching the grizzly bear off guard and ends up getting a sharp piece of antler stuck right in his lower back.

Pabi wheels around in pain and tries to sink his teeth into the hind quarters of Azure, but with a quick flick of his head, Azure jumps around just misses landing in the young grizzlies jaws. Since all the velvet still on his antlers have made it so his attack didn't do much damage, the young grizzly tries again to swat the caribou before him. This time Azure decides to reel back and take a hasty retreat back up the hill since living to fight another day is better than losing it over a few berries.

Due to his speed, he quickly makes it far enough away that Pabi decides it's not worth it to chase Azure and begins to chow down on his blue reward instead. In this instance, both creatures ended up being on top since neither lost their lives and the hunt for food will still continue for these giants. Life on the Alaskan tundra can be quite the fierce competition. Striking out to find the best food all while trying not to become food for something else is a challenge in itself. They may not have been able to show it, but I'm sure that the blue smiles on these beasts would have said that every bit of it was worth it in the end.