As we approached Ketchikan it was foggy and raining. Visibility was less than 1/2 mile but by the time we docked the visibility had improved somewhat but it was raining steady and the temperature was in the upper 40s. The local tour guides all wore heavy duty raingear, including rubber boots. This area receives 20-ft. (240-inches) of precipitation annually. I had signed up for a walk tour through the rainforest and the topics were the verdancy of the forest and bears, particularily Black Bears. It was pointed out to us where new growth occurs, literally anywhere, on dead tree trunks for instance, and signs of bears. Old dens, bear scat, scratch marks on tree trunks, and how mother bears teach their young to climb to escape strange male bears. The main topic though was the do's and don'ts while in bear country. Our guide had an electronic gaget, that is supposed to discourage bears. We were informed to never stray and never run away from a bear. She told us that there are bears around, but the presence of bears dramatically increases during the salmon runs later in summer. It was an interesting tour and worth the investment. This picture was taken on 26 May 2009. Thank you for viewing, commenting, and favs, Sig...