634 Popeye September 2021 NPS photo
Adult Male
Year First Identified: 2002 as a Subadult, 2003 as an Adult
Year Last Observed: 2023
Known Offspring Of: Not known at this time
Genetics Study Samples Obtained: Unknown
Identification:[]
2012 Brown Bears of Brooks Camp iBook: This bear has a medium large body with large (furry) dark forearms. His coat is brown, grizzled, and generally uniform with blondish ears. 634 Popeye's muzzle is short and upturned. He lacks distinctive scars.
2015 Bears of Brooks River book: The 2017 Bears of Brooks River book provides the same identification information as appears above, but also includes the following additional information.:
He has large, furry, dark forearms that inspired his nickname.
Distinctive Behaviors:[]
2012 Brown Bears of Brooks Camp iBook: 634 Popeye fishes the far pool and the lip of the falls. 634 will aggressively steal fish from smaller bears, especially early in the salmon run. 634 occasionally wanders through the lower Brooks River area, including through camp. This is one bear that may been seen near Brooks Camp in May and early June.
2016 Bears of Brooks River book: The 2016 Bears of Brooks River book provides the same distinctive behaviors information as appears above, but also includes the following additional information.:
634 Popeye is one bear that may be seen near Brooks Camp and on Dumpling Mountain in May and early June.
Life History:[]
2002: Older Subadult Male, 1st Year Identified & Classified[]
634 Popeye was classified as a subadult in 2002, the first year he was identified.
2003: Young Adult Male[]
634 Popeye was classified as a young adult male in 2003; this would indicate that 634 was observed mating.
2003 Season:[]
In 2003 634 Popeye was observed playing with 480 Otis .
July 2003:[]
2004: Adult Male[]
May 2004:[]
In May 2004, 634 Popeye appeared on the beach at Brooks Camp with a severe limp. He would not place any weight on the injjured leg at the time. Some time later (the time period is not specified in the 2014 Bears of Brooks River book) no apparent injury could be seen.
2005: Adult Male[]
634 Popeye can be seen at the 0:17 mark and the 6:21 mark in this video by Safari-Nordique R et M-C BUGAULT.:
Please note: We believe the footage in this video is from 2005 as 402 and her two yearlings (858 Artie & 859 Stella) are seen fishing the lip of the falls)
KATMAI en Alaska le site mondial des grizzlis pêchant le saumon by Safari-Nordique R et M-C BUGAULT-0
2006: Adult Male[]
2006 season:[]
Carol Moraga captured Brooks Falls video in 2006. Mike Fitz commented on the video and said "I think 634 Popeye appears at 3:35." That bear appears on the video through 4:07. 634 Popeye was 8-9 years old in 2006.
September 2006:[]
2007: Adult Male[]
June 2007:[]
2007.06.26: Ranger Jeanne's photo of 634 Popeye fishing the lip of Brooks Falls.
June 26, 2007 video by Hoosier Tim's Travel Videos with 634 Popeye beginning at 4:56.:
July 2007:[]
2008: Adult Male[]
July 2008:[]
2008.07.08: 634 Popeye was observed fishing at the falls.
2008.07.11: 634 Popeye (left) with 868 Wayne Brother (right) NPS photo :
2009: Adult Male[]
June 2009:[]
2009.06.27: Ranger Jeanne's photo of 634 Popeye standing above Brooks Falls. Ranger Jeanne also shared this photo of 634 Popeye in the bearcam comments on July 2, 2014 19:.47
2009.06.28: Bocaflip captured a photo of 634 Popeye on the lip, 6/28/2009.
2009.06.28 & 2009.06.29 : Michael ~ M. B. Crawley Photography shared these June 2009 photos of 634 Popeye: #1 634 Popeye fishing the lip , #2 634 Popeye approaching the lip & #3 634 Popeye climbing rock to top of falls . :
Please request Michael / M. B. Crawley Photography's permission prior to using his photographs!
July 2009:[]
2009.07.14: Ranger Roy Wood's photos (#1 & #2) of 634 Popeye.
2009.07.16: Ranger Roy Wood's photo of 634 Popeye. This photo is included in KNP&P's flickr gallery for 634 Popeye .
September 2009:[]
2009.09.13: Could this September 13. 2009 photo by Ranger Roy Wood be 634 Popeye on the beach at Brooks Camp? The bear in Ranger Roy's photo appears to have the slightly upturned muzzle, dark eye rings, large hump, blondish ears, and large furry forearms. This is another photo by Ranger Roy that may be 634 Popeye taken September 13, 2009.
2010: Adult Male[]
June 2010:[]
July 2010:[]
2010.07.??: Matt Hirt recorded video of 634 Popeye catching and eating a fish in July 2010. 747 can also be seen entering the frame at 0:17. Both identifications were confirmed by Mike Fitz on 2/5/2021. "Can confirm that is Popeye and 747. That was before 747 ballooned into his current size."
2010.07.??: 634 Popeye can be seen fishing below the falls in this July 2010 video by taichu99. 194 is on the lip, 856 is in the jacuzzi, 634 Popeye and 234 Evander (near to far) are below the falls. Mike Fitz provided the identifications of the bears in the video in his January 28, 2020 11:41 comment .:
There appears to be 3 blogs by the same park visitor that include photographs of 634 Popeye: Day 1 Blog , Day 2 Blog & Day 3 Blog .
2010:07.??: PhilSchultz shared this July 2010 photo of 634 Popeye in chat on 6/19/2020. 634 Popeye is seen chasing an unknown bear for its fish. The identification of 634 Popeye was confirmed by Mike Fitz on 6/22/2020. "The running bear in the background of the first photo is Popeye."
Please request PhilSchultz's permission prior to using his photographs!
_and_unknown_bear_(near)_July_2010_photo_by_PhilSchultz.jpg "634 Popeye (far) and unknown bear (near) July 2010 photo by PhilSchultz.jpg (167 KB)")
2010.07.??: Matt Hirt's July 2010 video of 634 Popeye and 480 Otis fighting over jacuzzi rights. At 1:09 a violent altercation begins with 634 Popeye having the upper hand. Viewer Discretion advised.
2010.07.06: Ranger Jeanne's photo of 634 Popeye backing another bear out of their fishing spot on the lip of Brooks Falls.
2010.07.08: Could this be 634 Popeye in this photo by Ranger Roy Wood?
September 2010:[]
2011: Adult Male[]
2011 Season or Prior:[]
2011 Season or Prior: 634 Popeye attempts to steal 218 Ugly's fish in this video by guitarhead615 published July 7, 2011:
2011 Season:[]
Add here
July 2011:[]
2012: Adult Male[]
634 Popeye was included in the 2012 Brown Bears of Brooks Camp ibook:
From 2002 through 2011, 634 Popeye was a bear that could been seen near Brooks Camp in May and early June. In 2012, this pattern was broken, and 634 was not observed during official bear monitorng sessions.
2013: Adult Male[]
2013 Season:[]
KNP&P's flickr gallery for 634 Popeye :
July 2013:[]
2013.07.05: Ranger Roy Wood's photo of 634 Popeye. This photo is included in KNP&P's flickr gallery for 634 Popeye .
2013.07.12: Peter Thiemann captured this photo of 634 Popeye on the island down river of Brooks Falls.
2013.07.15 or prior: 634 Popeye July 15, 2013 or prior photo by Kara Stenberg from Brooks Lodge's July 15, 2013 Facebook post.
Please request Kara Stenberg's permission prior to using her photographs!
2013.07.18: Ranger Jeanne's photo of 634 Popeye chasing 410 with her fish.
2013.07.21: Ranger Jeanne's left side view photo of 634 Popeye; this photo is included in KNP&P's flickr gallery for 634 Popeye . Another July 21, 2013 photo of 634 Popeye by Ranger Jeanne; this one is a profile image of 634.
2013.07.22: Ranger Aaron Camire captured this photo of 634 Popeye.
2014: Adult Male[]
634 Popeye was included in the 2014 Bears of Brooks River book on page 24:
2014 Season:[]
634 Popeye mated with several females including 128 Grazer, 409 Beadnose, and 708 Amelia during the 2014 season.
June 2014:[]
2014.06.19: Ranger Mike shared some sneak peeks and photos with cam viewers on June 19, 2014 that included a photo of possibly 634 Popeye:
634 Popeye mating with 409 Beadnose, NPS photos (#1 & #2 ). These two bears mated near Brooks Falls for 1/2 hour. The mating season for brown bears in Katmai peaks in late spring.:
2014.06.27: Ranger Jeanne's photo of 634 Popeye eating a salmon with an inflated swim bladder.
2014.06.27 - 2014.06.29: Ranger Jeanne observed 634 Popeye at Brooks Camp.:
July 2014:[]
2014.07.03: Ranger Jeanne's photos (#1 & #2 ) of 634 Popeye fishing below Brooks Falls to the far side of the jacuzzi.
2014.07.11 or prior: 634 Popeye July 11, 2014 or prior photo by Kara Stenberg from Brooks Lodge's July 11, 2014 Facebook post.
Please request Kara Stenberg's permission prior to using her photographs!
2014.07.12: Ranger Jeanne's photo of 634 Popeye. Ranger Jeanne also captured these two photos (#1 & #2 ) of 634 Popeye mating with 708 Amelia on July 12, 2014.
JB Grace's video of 634 Popeye mating with 708 Amelia.:
2014.07.19: Ranger Jeanne's photo of 634 Popeye.
2014.07.27-07.28 or prior: 634 Popeye July 27, 2014 or prior photo by Kara Stenberg from Brooks Lodge's July 27, 2014 Facebook post. 634 Popeye July 28, 2014 or prior photo by Kara Stenberg from Brooks Lodge's July 28, 2014 Facebook post.
Please request Kara Stenberg's permission prior to using her photographs!
2015: Adult Male[]
634 Popeye was included in the 2015 Bears of Brooks River book on page 63. 634 is also shown on the Chapter 6 Adult Males page, page 49. 634 Popeye is mentioned on 480 Otis' page, page 61.:
May 2015:[]
2015.05.13 - 2015.05.20: 634 Popeye was observed at Brooks Camp between May 13, 2015 and May 20, 2015
2015.05.17: Mike Fitz observed and captured video of 634 Popeye courting 854 Divot on Dumpling Mountain on May 17, 2015. Mike's description of the video:
"I encountered two pairs of courting brown bears on Dumpling Mountain in Katmai National Park on May 17, 2015. The two were young adult bears, previously identified at Brooks River as 151 Walker and 284. In the second pair, 854 Divot was courted by 634 Popeye."
2015.05.20 or Prior: KNP&P posted this photo of 634 Popeye courting a female in May of 2015 (between May 17, 2015 and May 20, 2015 ~ May 20, 2015 upload date). This appears to also possibly be 634 Popeye courting 854 Divot. KNP&P also shared these photos (#1 & #2 ) of 634 Popeye.:
June 2015:[]
2015.06.18 or PRIOR: (June 18, 2015 KNP&P published date) 634 Popeye walks by ranger cabins video by KNP&P.:
July 2015:[]
2015.07.02 or prior: 634 Popeye July 2, 2015 or prior photo by Kara Stenberg from Brooks Lodge's July 2, 2015 Facebook post.
Please request Kara Stenberg's permission prior to using her photographs!
2015.07.03: Ian Lyons photo of 634 Popeye, 7/3/2015.
2015.07.21: Jen shared this snapshot of 634 Popeye.:
August 2015:[]
2015.08.17 or prior: 634 Popeye August 17, 2015 or prior photo by Kara Stenberg from Brooks Lodge's August 17, 2015 Facebook post.
Please request Kara Stenberg's permission prior to using her photographs!
2016: Adult Male[]
634 Popeye was included in the 2016 Bears of Brooks River book on page 74.:
June 2016:[]
2016.06.22: 634 Popeye was observed on the Brooks Falls live cam. Mike Fitz confirmed 634 Popeye's ID and shared some information about 634 Popeye stealing fish.:
Cam viewers also captured snapshots of 634 Popeye on June 22, 2016:
Ratna captured this video of 634 Popeye in the far pool:
Mickey Williams captured this video of 634 Popeye in the far pool and then walking in front of the Brooks Falls Wildlife Viewing Platform.:
2016.06.25: 634 Popeye rubs the tree on the island down river of Brooks Falls video by Ratna:
856 arrives at the falls and displaces 747 from the jacuzzi. 634 Popeye was fishing in the far pool but moved to the office increase his distance from the dominance display between 856 and 747. Video by Ratna.:
856 displaces 747! AGAIN! 634 Popeye from far pool to office & back to far pool June 25, 2016 video by Ratna
2016.06.26: 634 Popeye choking and vomiting video by Martina.:
2016 06 26 II 634 Popeye choking and vomiting in far pool, 89 Backpack in the jacuzzi video by Martina
634 Popeye is displaced by 747's approach, then 634 and 747 have a discussion as 755 Scare D Bear moves out of their way in this video by Ratna.:
July 2016:[]
2016.07.06: Park visitor and cam viewer, GrandmaJ captured these two photos (#1 & #2 ) of 634 Popeye during her trip to Brooks Camp.:
Please request GrandmaJ's permission prior to using her photos!
2016.07.10: 634 Popeye (near the island) and 480 Otis (near the jacuzzi) both have their own fish when this video by Rob Rager begins. 634 Popeye high grades his fish and then steals the rest of 480 Otis' fish from him. Be sure to turn your sound up to hear 480 Otis vocalizing his displeasure with being forced to share. 480 Otis being the accomplished fisher bear that he is returns to the jacuzzi to fish again.:
2016.07.16: Truman Everts captured this photograph of 634 Popeye on July 16, 2016 (p 08/30/16 14:37).:
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
2016.07.16 - 2016.07.21: Truman Everts captured this photograph of 634 Popeye (p 09/07/16 19:04). Truman Everts captured this photograph of 634 Popeye (p 09/08/16 08:01). Truman Everts captured this photograph of 634 Popeye (p 09/07/16 19:13). Truman Everts captured this photograph of 634 Popeye (p 08/30/16 14:51). Truman Everts captured this photograph of 634 Popeye (front) with 480 Otis (back) (p 09/07/16 18:47). Truman Everts captured this photograph of 634 Popeye (near) with 480 Otis (far) (p 10/28/2016 17:43 ): Truman Everts shared this 7/17/2016 photo of 634 Popeye on 4/18/2021 with the following comment "Years ago I considered changing to a 634 avatar...with homage to the Alaska state flag...but then I noticed the shadows (of branches) over his left eye, wasn't motivated to try to remove them, had 2 Pop-Tarts and took a nap."
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
2016.07.17: Truman Everts captured this photograph of 634 Popeye on July 17, 2016 (p 08/28/16 16.13). Truman Everts shared this 7/17/2016 photo of 634 Popeye on 3/26/2020. Truman Everts shared ( 1,2, 3 and 4 ) these 7/17/2016 photos of 634 Popeye on 5/6/2020, #1, #2, #3 and #4 (with 480 Otis). Truman Everts shared this 7/17/2016 photo of 634 Popeye on 5/6/2020.
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
_with_480_Otis_(far)_July_17,_2016_photo_by_Truman_Everts_.04_.jpg "634 Popeye (near) with 480 Otis (far) July 17, 2016 photo by Truman Everts .04 .jpg (758 KB)")
2016.07.27 or prior: 634 Popeye July 27, 2016 or prior photo by Kara Stenberg from Brooks Lodge's July 27, 2016 Facebook post.
Please request Kara Stenberg's permission prior to using her photographs!
September 2016:[]
2016.09.30: 68 and 634 Popeye video by Brenda D. Note: Video unavailable as of 2021. Thumbnail left for context.
October 2016:[]
2016.10.04: 634 Popeye video by Ratna Narayan.:
2016.10.07: 634 Popeye video by Ratna Narayan.:
2017: Adult Male[]
634 Popeye was included in the 2017 Bears of Brooks River book on page 76.:
GreenRiver shared these 2017 snapshots of 634 Popeye, #1, #2 and #3.
June 2017:[]
2017.06.21: LuvBears shared this June 21, 2017 snapshot of 634 Popeye.:
634 Popeye video by Flyer 7474 (aka SteveCA):
2017.06.22: 634 Popeye on the lip video by Brenda D. Popeye comes into the Falls as Beadnose leaves. He moves around to several different fishing spot and then stays on the lip until he finally leaves for the night. His massive size was noticeable as he moved through the rapids without even slowing down. Note: Video unavailable as of 2021. Thumbnail left for context.
What would 634 Popeye day be without mention of the infamous "Otter Incident" . On June 22, 2017 an otter innocently swam over the falls to do some fishing below, it had done the same thing on a number of previous days. This day, it had no idea that 634/Popeye was fishing below. Popeye saw the movement and went in for the capture ....he went out of frame as he pounced. So we didn't see if he was successful or not. He was gone about 5 minutes. Minutes after he returned he was violently ill....not the usual salmon colour.....but a very dark substance. Guess you could call it "Otter's Revenge". Video by Brenda D. Note: Video unavailable as of 2021. Thumbnail left for context.
Goldilocks also shared these snapshots (#1 & #2 ). Goldilocks shared this information about the snapshots: "Screen captures I took that day: I circled the otter coming over the lip of the falls. Not too distasteful of a shot of Popeye rejecting otter meat.":
634 Popeye eats an otter (?) video by angerboda.:
2017.06.26: 634 Popeye close-up below Brooks Falls wildlife viewing platform video by Arlene Beech.:
Explore Recorder video ~ 634 Popeye footage begins at 14:01 mark:
MarieG shared these snapshots (#1 & #2 ) of 634 Popeye.:
Late June 2017: 634 Popeye Late June, 2017 photo by Kara Stenberg from Brooks Lodge's September 11, 2017 Facebook post. Please request Kara Stenberg's permission prior to using her photographs!
July 2017:[]
2017.07.??: KNP shared this tweet and video of 634 Popeye on 10/29/2018. "May your week be filled with more than you could have hoped for or imagined, as it was for Bear 634 Popeye during the peak of the salmon run in July of 2017."
2017.07.01: Truman Everts shared this 7/1/2017 photo of 634 Popeye on 5/6/2020. Truman Everts shared 7/1/2017 photos of 634 Popeye on 5/6/2020, #1 and #2. Truman Everts shared a 7/1/2017 photo of 634 Popeye on 4/18/2021. Truman everts shared this 7/1/2017 photo of 634 Popeye on 4/18/2021. "634 moving faster after a fish than some might imagine he could..."
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
2017.07.03: Theresa Bielawski shared two 7/3/2017 photos of 634 Popeye in chat on 4/18/2021, #1 and #2.
Please request Theresa Bielawski's permission prior to using her photographs!
Truman Everts shared this 7/3/2017 photo of 634 Popeye on 4/18/2021. "This is either 634 at the falls...or from an ethereal dream sequence I had."
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
634 Popeye is frequently seen standing below the falls in this 7/3/2017 video by Ratna Narayan.
2017.07.04 11:10: 634 Popeye wants 503 Cubadult's fish video by Flyer 7474 (aka SteveCA).:
2017.07.04 or prior: 634 Popeye July 4, 2017 or prior photo by Kara Stenberg from Brooks Lodge's July 4, 2017 Facebook post.
Please request Kara Stenberg's permission prior to using her photographs!
2017.07.06: 634 Popeye limping video by Lyn Gulbransen.:
2017.07.08 or prior: 634 Popeye July 8, 2017 or prior photo by Kara Stenberg from Brooks Lodge's July 8, 2017 Facebook post.
Please request Kara Stenberg's permission prior to using her photographs!
2017.07.09: 634 Popeye video by Brenda D. Note: Video unavailable as of 2021. Thumbnail left for context.
2017.07.10: Francois Aspesberro photo of 634 Popeye, 7/10/2017. A 2nd 7/10/2017 photo of 634 Popeye by Francois Aspesberro.
2017.07.12: Birgitt shared this snapshot of 634 Popeye that shows the wound to his right rear paw / leg.:
21:50: 634 Popeye & 273 near Riffles platform videos: Video by Flyer 7474 (aka SteveCA):
Video by Melissa Freels.:
2017.07.13: 634 Popeye July 13, 2017 or prior photo by Kara Stenberg from Brooks Lodge's July 13, 2017 Facebook post.
Please request Kara Stenberg's permission prior to using her photographs!
2017.07.14 or Prior: Large male bears like #634 "Popeye" show off their dominance to people and other bears with an exaggerated swagger and by rubbing their scent on trees. NPS Video/Tammy Carmack .
2017.07.14: 634 Popeye limping video by Brenda D. Note: Video unavailable as of 2021. Thumbnail left for context.
2017.07.15: 634 Popeye limping video by JoniT. 634 appears to have a severe injury to right hind leg....going along eating remains left behind by other bears. At least there was plenty for him to eat right now.:
2017.07.16: 634 Popeye limping video by Juergen. German voice by Martina, a play-by-play in German:
Melissa Freel's captured 7/16/2017 video of 634 Popeye when he had an injured right rear leg. 634 would put no weight on that leg and a wound can be seen as he climbs up the hill near the platform. It is not clear how he sustained the injury.
2017.07.17: A wolf visits as 634 Popeye continues to eat his salmon video by Flyer 7474 (aka SteveCA).:
2017.07.19 or prior: 634 Popeye July 19, 2017 or prior photo #1 by Kara Stenberg from Brooks Lodge's July 19, 2017 Facebook post. 634 Popeye July 19, 2017 or prior photo #2 by Kara Stenberg from Brooks Lodge's July 19, 2017 Facebook post.
Please request Kara Stenberg's permission prior to using her photographs!
2017.07.19: 634 Popeye limping part 1 video by Mickey Williams.:
2017.07.20: 634 video by Flyer 7474 (aka SteveCA). 634 Popeye shows some tenacity when he steals a salmon from another boar. One view from the Brooks Falls cam and another view from the River Watch cam.Brooks Falls.:
August 2017:[]
2017.08.04 or prior: 634 Popeye August 4, 2017 or prior photo by Kara Stenberg from Brooks Lodge's August 4, 2017 Facebook post.
Please request Kara Stenberg's permission prior to using her photographs!
September 2017:[]
2017.09.13: 634 Popeye video by Patricia65.:
634 Popeye video by Cheryl B.:
2017.09.15: Shel shared three 9/15/2017 snapshots of 634 Popeye, #1, #2 and #3.
Shel also shared a 9/15/2017 video of 634 Popeye that was taken at the same time as the above photos (30:30-32:50).
2018: Adult Male[]
634 Popeye was included in the 2018 Bears of Brooks River book on page 79.:
2018 season:[]
Deanna Dittloff (aka deelynnd) created this 2018 video of 634 Popeye.
JG shared this 2018 snapshot of 634 Popeye. GreenRiver shared these 2018 snapshots of 634 Popeye, #1, #2, #3, #4 and #5. GreenRiver's 2018 snapshot of 634 Popeye. GreenRiver shared this 2018 snapshot of 634 Popeye.
May 2018:[]
2018.05.23 or prior: Ranger Roy Wood stopped in chat on 5/23/2018 and commented that "Rangers arrived at Brooks over the weekend by boat. Surprisingly, we have seen a fair number of bears." In response to a question in chat as to whether any large boars had been seen, Ranger Roy Wood replied: "Oh, I think someone may have seen Popeye, but not me."
June 2018:[]
2018.06.08 Just after 07:30: Ranger Russ' June 8. 2018 14:33 comment with photo of 634 Popeye in the lower Brooks River taken June 8, 2018 just after 07:30 . Ranger Russ also commented at 14:44 regarding 634 Popeye's 2017 limp: "I only saw him right before he entered the river, but didn't notice any obvious limp." KNP&P's June 8, 2018 15:51 Facebook post provides a bear update on 634 Popeye.
.jpg "Ranger Russ's June 8, 2018 comment with photo of 634 Popeye in lower Brooks River taken June 8, 2018 (photo only).jpg (62 KB)")
.JPG "Ranger Russ's June 8, 2018 comment with photo of 634 Popeye in lower Brooks River taken June 8, 2018 (photo only zoom).JPG (18 KB)")
.JPG "Ranger Russ's June 8, 2018 comment I only saw him right before he entered the river, but didn't notice any obvious limp. (re 634 Popeye).JPG (27 KB)")
July 2018:[]
2018.07.01: 747 jumps 634 Popeye, 7/1/2018 video by LuvBears.
634 Popeye and 747 video by Martina.:
747 ambushes 634 Popeye (at 2:33), 7/1/2018 video by Brenda D. Note: Video unavailable as of 2021. Thumbnail left for context.
Cam watcher and Brooks Camp visitor Truman Everts captured photos of 747 attacking 634 Popeye on 7/1/2018. Truman shared the photos in chat on 4/18/2021, #1 and #2. Truman commented "A stressful moment for 634 fans (though we all know it turned out okay, so all's well that ends well)
as gigantic 747 pins him after a sneak attack. All 634 had above water was one foreleg...fortunately, it's a very strong one.
(Not impugning 747's reputation...just documenting a big day in 634's) life...I don't think the water was especially deep there
(though Mike would know better than I...he's actually walked around in or near that spot...and the bears travel a bit, too).I wasn't thinking about how deep it was...I was thinking how long it was that 634's face was under the surface!!!"
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2018.07.02: Jen shared this snapshot of 634 Popeye (center), 480 Otis (in the office), and 755 Scare D. Bear (right).:
2018.07.03: Bookmom shared this snapshot of 634 Popeye. Cruiser shared this 7/3/2018 art snapshot of 634 Popeye on 5/6/2020.
2018.07.05: NWBearLove92 shared 7/5/2018 photos of 634 Popeye on 5/6/2020, #1 and #2.
Please request NWBearLove92's permission prior to using any of their photographs!
2018.07.06: NWBearLove92 shared a photo of 634 Popeye and a photo of 634 Popeye with 409 Beadnose and 812 on 5/6/2020.
Please request NWBearLove92's permission prior to using any of their photographs!
_812_(far)_and_634_Popeye_(by_the_log)_July_6,_2018_photo_by_NWBearLove92.jpg "409 Beadnose (near) 812 (far) and 634 Popeye (by the log) July 6, 2018 photo by NWBearLove92.jpg (2 MB)")
2018.07.09: 634 Popeye backs 480 Otis into the falls, 7/9/2018 video by Lani H.
2018.07.15: Black and white photo of 634 Popeye by Angelika Cramer taken on 7/15/2018.
2018.mid July: Theresa Bielawski shared eight mid-July 2018 photos of 634 Popeye in chat on 4/18/2021, #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7 and #8. Theresa commented "Here are some more Popeye pictures - Correction - these are from mid July, 2018 not 2019. I will try to find more from other years. I love him!" Theresa Bielawski shared an additional mid-July, 2018 photo of 634 Popeye.
Please request Theresa Bielawski's permission prior to using her photographs!
2018.07.17: Olddude shared this 7/17/2018 snapshot of 634 Popeye on 5/6/2020. Shel shared 7/17/2018 snapshots of 634 Popeye on 5/6/2020, #1, #2, #3, #4 and #5.
Shel shared this 7/17/2018 Explore recorder video in chat. "From 18:00 - to 21:10 -- 634 Popeye fishing in the evening in a spot near the falls that he likes to fish. Near to far at 18:00 -- 634 Popeye, 801, 755 Scare D Bear (in the office) - 7/17/18.
2018.07.18: Bookmom shared these snapshots (#1 & #2) of 634 Popeye.:
2018.07.19: Close-up footage of 634 Popeye video by Flyer 7474 (aka SteveCA):
Bearz61 shared this July 19, 2018 snapshot of 634 Popeye.:
September 2018:[]
2018.09.??: Park visitor and cam viewer, Melissa Freels captured these September 2018 photos (#1 , #2 , #3 & #4 ) of 634 Popeye. Melissa shared this information about the when she took these photos: "Some Popeye pics from September 2018. He seemed especially annoyed by 151 Walker and went to have words with him at one point (while 719 looked on).":
Please request Melissa Freels' permission prior to using her photos!
2018.09.??: Melissa Freel's September 2018 video of 634 Popeye with cameos by 68 (at 0:26 on the left) and 32 Chunk (at 1:12 on the left).
2018.09.09: 634 Popeye close-up video by mckate.:
Close-up video of 634 Popeye by Lani H, 9/9/2018.
2018.09.10: 747 (largest bear sitting in the far pool), 480 Otis (licking the rock in the far pool), 856 (is the bear that catches the fish), and 634 Popeye (in the office) video by Birgitt:
Mckate's video of 634 Popeye backing up 151 Walker. What this cam didn't show was that Walker had invaded Popeye's space a little earlier.:
JG shared a 9/10/2018 photo of 634 Popeye (left) and 151 Walker (right) on 3/17/2021 and commented regarding dominance: "634 is an interesting bear. He is among the largest bears but defers to the 3-4 top hierarchy contenders. He throws his weight around vs. most of the others. He is relatively scar free compared to other mature adult males that seem to show up every summer with fresh new wounds possibly from spring mating season battles. We only see the tail end of the mating season but we have seen 634 mating with several of the regular Brooks River females over the years. He has found the dominance sweet spot."
_and_151_Walker_(right)_September_10,_2018_snapshot_by_JG.jpg "634 Popeye (left) and 151 Walker (right) September 10, 2018 snapshot by JG.jpg (542 KB)")
2018.09.12: Lee Pastewka's (aka River PA) photos of 634 Popeye from 9/12/2018, #1 and #2.
Please request Lee's (aka RiverPA ) permission prior to using her photographs !
_.01.jpg "634 Popeye September 12, 2018 photo by Lee Pastewka (aka RiverPA) .01.jpg (297 KB)")
_.02.jpg "634 Popeye September 12, 2018 photo by Lee Pastewka (aka RiverPA) .02.jpg (310 KB)")
2019: Adult Male[]
2019 season:[]
Deanna Dittloff (aka deelynnd) created this 2019 season video of 634 Popeye.
CarolineB shared her 2019 painting of 634 Popeye based on a 2019 photo by Theresa Bielawski, shared on 5/6/2020.
Xander-Sage-2 shared this 2019 GIF of 634 Popeye on 5/6/2020. Xander-Sage-2 shared this 2019 GIF of 634 Popeye on 5/6/2020. GreenRiver shared these 2019 snapshots of 634 Popeye, #1, #2 (left) and #3.
June 2019:[]
2019.06.15: Mike Fitz commented on June 16, 2019 at 11:37 AKDT and shared a June 15, 2019 photo of 634 Popeye taken late in the evening at Brooks Falls.:
2019.06.19: 634 Popeye was the 1st bear to be seen on an Explore.org live cam in 2019. On June 19, 2019 at approximately 14:09, Mike Fitz, Resident Naturalist with Explore.org was testing the live chat equipment and 634 Popeye was the 1st bear seen during this equipment testing.
At approximately 14:18, KCanada shared the 1st live cam bear snapshot of the 2019 season, 634 Popeye. At approximately 14:19, Erie shared her first snapshot of the 2019 season, also of 634 Popeye. At approximately 14:23, KCanada shared more of her snapshots (#1 , #2 & #3 ) of 634 Popeye. At approximately 14:28, Xander-Sage shared a gif she created. At 14:33, Goldilocks shared a snapshot of Mike Fitz from when her first went live and the falls appeared backwards. At 14:37, Courtney (Explore) sharedher snapshot of 634 Popeye headed for the island. Martina shared her gif at 14:37. At 14:40, Kam shared the 1st bear butt snapshot of the 2019 season, 634 Popeye. At 14.43, Kam shared more of her snapshots (#1 634 Popeye , #2 the other bear , & #3 634 Popeye ). At 14:43, Xander-Sage shared their gif of the other bear & 634 Popeye. At 14:51, Scooch shared their gif of 634 Popeye. Scooch shared their gif of the other bear at 14:55. Cruiser shared this gif of Mike Fitz and 634 Popeye.:
Mckate created this video of part of Mike's test, without sound. "Our first cam bears of the 2019 season are an unknown blond sub and 634 Popeye on the island.":
Lani H created this video of Mike Fitz testing the live chat equipment.:
On the evening of June 19, 2019, 634 was observed at Brooks Falls. On June 20, 2019 at 08:55 AKDT, Katmai Conservancy Ranger Naomi commented and shared photos (#1 634 Popeye , #2 128 Grazer , #3 128 Grazer on the lip , #4 856 ) of the bears observed at Brooks Falls on the evening of June 19, 2019.:
"The salmon have arrived and the bears have followed. Last night Mike Fitz, John Koster and I were at The Falls. Here are pictures of 634 Popeye, Grazer (sorry, no cubs), a sub and 856. When 856 strutted in, Grazer had already left having eaten 7 salmon. But Popeye took one look at 856 and ran up the far bank. 856 not satisfied with that, followed him up the bank. Dominance seems to be his priority. Once satisfied that Popeye was really gone, he returned to take his place in the jacuzzi. The season has begun." In January of 2020, NSBoak (aka Ranger Naomi Boak) shared a 6/19/2019 photo of 634 Popeye. "Eat your spinach. It's Popeye's day. What a handsome bear. He was around a lot last June. What a privilege to watch his commanding presence at the falls. Here is that good lookin' dude on June 20, 2019." Although NSBoak commented that the date was June 20, 2019 it appears that the photo was actually June 19, 2019.
.jpg "634 Popeye June 20, 2019 NPS photo by NSBoak (aka Ranger Naomi Boak).jpg (362 KB)")
KNP&P's June 20, 2019 13:46 AKDT Facebook post with June 19, 2019 photo of 634 Popeye.: "Bear season at Brooks Falls has started in earnest. The sockeye salmon began to arrive a few days ago and the bears followed in short order. The bears haven't had a substantial meal since last fall, before hibernation. Now that the salmon are here, the bears can fatten up on these fish to survive next winter. This handsome fellow at Brooks Falls is bear 634 Popeye."
2019.06.23: 634 Popeye "Cowboy Walking" as seen on the low cam, 6/23/2019 video by flyer 7474.
Another low cam video view of 634 Popeye cowboy walking by Lani H, 6/23/2019.
Scooch's 6/23/2019 gif of 634 Popeye cowboy walking. Note: the file size is too large to upload on Wiki. The gif was resized by PaPa 42 NY so it could be uploaded. Scooch commented:
"Cowboy walking is one way of showing dominance, comical as it is, especially when it's overly exaggerated, as demonstrated here by 634...
A blessing for cowboy Popeye....May your step never stumble, Your will never break, Your belly never grumble, Your hips never ache!"
634 Popeye can be seen fishing the lip in this 6/23/2019 video by mckate.
Ratna Narayan's 6/23/2019 video of 634 Popeye fishing the lip.
Super close up of 634 Popeye lip fishing 2019.06.23, video by Ratna
6/23/2019 video by Ratna Narayan
2019.06.23-06.28 or prior: 634 Popeye photos by Kara Stenberg from Brooks Lodge's 6/23/2019, 6/26/2019 and 6/28/2019 Facebook posts.
Please request Kara Stenberg's permission prior to using her photographs!
2019.06.24: 634 Popeye June 24, 2019 NPS photo by Ranger Tammy Carmack KNP&P Flickr.
Just one look from 747 causes 634 Popeye to flee the lip, 6/24/2019 video by Ratna Narayan.
856 chases 634 Popeye upriver, 6/24/2019 video by Lani H.
2019.06.25: 634 Popeye loses his fish, 6/25/2019 video by mckate.
634 Popeye flees from the far pool as 747 arrives with a fish, 6/25/2019 video by Ratna Narayan.
Birgitt's 6/25/2019 video of 634 Popeye fishing the lip while 128 Grazer and 435 Holly fish the far pool.
2019.06.26: Truman Everts captured this photograph of 634 Popeye on June 26, 2019 at 18:50 (p 10/20/19 09:11 ).:
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
2019.06.28: 634 Popeye and 32 Chunk at the falls, 6/28/2019 video by Ratna Narayan.
2019.06.30: Truman Everts captured this photograph of 634 Popeye at 15:54 (p 12/07/19 04:28 ). Truman Everts captured this photograph of 634 at 16:07 (p 12/06/19 06:04 ). Truman Everts shared this 6/30/2019 photo of 634 Popeye on 5/18/2020. "Seemingly almost always intense, Bear 634 (aka: "Popeye")." Truman Everts shared this 6/30/2019 photo of 634 Popeye on 6/3/2020.
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
634 Popeye eating near the platform. He hurries away as 747 arrives on top of the falls, 6/30/2019 video by Lani H.
July 2019:[]
2019.07.04: Truman Everts shared this 7/4/2019 photo of 634 Popeye on 4/27/2020. Truman Everts shared this 7/4/2019 photo of 634 Popeye on 4/18/2021.
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
2019.07.05: Cam viewer and Brooks Camp visitor BearTreeHugr shared three photos of 634 Popeye courting 610, #1, #2and #3. "610 was peacefully fishing in the Lower river when suddenly, big 634 Popeye appeared. He proceeded to relentlessly pursue her all over the river. We were quite concerned seeing the size difference and didn't realize how young she was at the time. Yet another example of how tough and resilient she is! Pics taken 7/5/19." " BearTreeHugr shared two additional photos of 634 Popeye courting 610, #1 and #2. "The big, bodacious 634 Popeye was a man bear on a mission the day we saw him, chasing after the beautiful 610. 7/5/2019."
Please request BearTreeHugr's permission prior to using their photographs!
2019.07.06 or prior: Shaun Downey captured photos of 634 Popeye on 7/6/2019 or prior. In photo #1, Shaun Downey commented "The moment you round a corner and this fella appears... you think you might have made the wrong decision of walking thru ‘Jurassic Park’ to the falls with only my 8 year old daughter. This fella backed us up a few hundred feet down the falls trail before he passed by. When we were able to get off the trail, the bear then sat at the only access back to the trail for 5 minutes just watching us and relaxing. It was a thrilling and heart pounding experience. This ended up being one of six trail encounters we had in 4 days and for sure a don’t tell your mother life moment!"
Shaun's 2nd photo of 634 Popeye, "A bear so big he makes the sockeye look small!" Click the > to see Mr Downey with his daughter and see the size of the sockeye salmon.
2019.07.06: Photobearsbry shared this 7/6/2019 photo of 634 Popeye on 7/20/2020.
Please request photobearsbry's permission prior to using his photographs!
2019.07.06-07.10 or prior: 634 Popeye 7/6-7/10/2019 or prior photos by Kara Stenberg from Brooks Lodge's Facebook posts on 7/6/2019 and 7/10/2019, #1, #2, #3 and #4.
Please request Kara Stenberg's permission prior to using her photographs!
2019.07.18: This 7/18/2019 video appears to be 634 Popeye in the riffles, video by Lani H.
2019.07.27: 634 Popeye and 503 Cubadult have words video by Lani H.;
634 Popeye pirates a salmon from 755 ScareD Bear, 7/27/2019 video by Lani H.
2019.07.28: GreenRiver captured this snapshot of 634 Popeye (left) with 480 Otis (right) (p 01/26/2020 07:47 ).:
2019.07.29: Interaction between 634 Popeye and 68, 7/29/2019 video by Lani H. Comment by Phillydude: "Popeye and 68 didn't have many interactions last season, I think Popeye just mostly tried to stay out of 68's way, but this is one they had by the island, hard to tell who was whom, but they circled each other and then it looked like Popeye was actually the one who went over to the Island for a dominance display as 68 walked away."
August 2019:[]
2019.08.02 - 2019.08.05: Kacko and Goof_n captured these photographs (#1 & #2 ) of 634 Popeye backing the unidentified bear known as "Spot" off the lip of the falls (p 02/29/2020 09:05 ). Goof_n shared this 8/3/2019 photo of 634 Popeye backing the unidentified subadult "Spot" off the lip on 5/6/2020.
Please request Kacko & Goof_n's permission prior to using their photographs!
2019.08.03: Goof_N & Kacko captured this photograph of "Humphrey" (left) with 634 Popeye (right) (p 01/03/2020 18:23 ). Goof_n shared this 8/3/2019 photo of 801 (left) 480 Otis (center) and 634 Popeye (right) on 5/6/2020. Goof_n shared this 8/3/2019 photo of 634 Popeye on 5/6/2020. Kacko shared this 8/3/3019 photo of 634 Popeye (near) and 480 Otis (far) on 5/6/2020. Goof_n shared this 8/3/2019 photo of 634 Popeye marking the remnants of a tree on the island on 5/6/2020. Goof_n shared this 8/3/2019 photo of 801 (left) 480 Otis (center) and 634 Popeye (right) on 5/20/2020. Goof_n shared an additional 8/3/2019 photo of 634 Popeye. Goof_n shared these (#1 & #2) photographs of 634 Popeye backing 97 "Spot" off the lip (p 02/29/20 09:05).:
Please request Kacko & Goof_n's permission prior to using their photographs!
_480_Otis_(center)_and_634_Popeye_(right)_August_3,_2019_photo_by_Kacko_and_Goof_n.jpg "801 (left) 480 Otis (center) and 634 Popeye (right) August 3, 2019 photo by Kacko and Goof n.jpg (1.8 MB)")
_and_480_Otis_(far)_August_3,_2019_photo_by_Kacko_and_Goof_n_.02.jpg "634 Popeye (near) and 480 Otis (far) August 3, 2019 photo by Kacko and Goof n .02.jpg (2.18 MB)")
_480_Otis_(center)_and_634_Popeye_(right)_August_3,_2019_photo_by_Kacko_and_Goof_n_.02.jpg "801 (left) 480 Otis (center) and 634 Popeye (right) August 3, 2019 photo by Kacko and Goof n .02.jpg (2.19 MB)")
2019.08.04: 634 Popeye backs up 801, 8/4/2019 video by mckate.
Goof_n shared this 8/4/2019 photo of "over 2 tons of bear" on 5/6/2020. Pictured in the photo are 747 (left, near) 480 Otis (left, far) 634 Popeye (center) and 801 (right). Goof_n shared an additional 8/4/2019 photo of 747, 634 Popeye, 801 and 480 Otis (front to back) on 3/17/2021.
Please request Kacko & Goof_n's permission prior to using their photographs!
_480_Otis_(left,_far)_634_Popeye_(center)_and_801_(right)_August_4,_2019_photo_by_Kacko_and_Goof_n.jpg "747 (left, near) 480 Otis (left, far) 634 Popeye (center) and 801 (right) August 4, 2019 photo by Kacko and Goof n.jpg (1.78 MB)")
_August_4,_2019_photo_by_Kacko_and_Goof_n.jpg "747, 634 Popeye, 801 and 480 Otis (front to back) August 4, 2019 photo by Kacko and Goof n.jpg (1.08 MB)")
DanteV2000 shared this 8/4/2019 photo of 634 Popeye on 7/3/2020.
Please request DanteV2000's permission prior to using their photographs!
2019.08.07: 747 is unmoved by 634 Popeye's complaints, 8/7/2019 video by mckate.
October 2019: []
2019.10.05: 634 Popeye returns to Brooks River, 10/5/2019 video by Lani H.
Mckate's 10/5/2019 video of 634 Popeye's return to Brooks River.
2020: Adult Male[]
634 Popeye was included in the 2021 Bears of Brooks River book page 72.
2020 Season:[]
Deanna Dittloff (aka deelynnd) created this 2020 season video of 634 Popeye, "Bear 634 Popeye 2020."
2020.??.??: NSBoak's (aka Ranger Naomi Boak) 2020 video of 856 showing 634 Popeye "Who Da Boss."
June 2020:[]
2020.06.25: Lani H captured 6/25/2020 video on the first day that 634 Popeye was seen on the cams.
Birgitt's 6/25/2020 video of 634 Popeye.
GreenRiver's 6/25/2020 snapshot of 634 Popeye.
2020.06.26: (This was not the 1st day 634 was observed during the 2020 sesason).
Cruiser created this video of 634 Popeye's lower river interaction with 480 Otis.:
Birgitt's 6/26/2020 video, 94 and her 3 cubs and 719 and her 2 cubs flee at 634 Popeye's arrival.
2020.06.27: 856 objects to 634 Popeye's lip fishing, 6/27/2020 video by mckate.
2020.06.28: 634 Popeye pirates 480's fish, 6/28/2020 video by mckate.
634 Popeye successfully fishing the lip of Brooks Falls gif created by DanteV2000 (p 06/28/2020 14:04 ). DanteV2000 created this gif of 634 Popeye successfully fishing the lip of the falls (p 06/28/2020 14:36 ). 634 Popeye ascends the lip in the gif created by DanteV2000 (p 06/28/2020 21:05 ):
856 tells Popeye to back off the lip, 6/28/2020 video by Naomi Boak (aka Ranger Naomi Boak).
Stay away from my jacuzzi. 856 tells Popeye what for.
856 tells 634 Popeye to back off the lip, June 28, 2020 video by Naomi Boak (aka Ranger Naomi Boak)
2020.06.29: Cruiser shared this 6/29/2020 snapshot of 634 Popeye "full tilt."
2020.06:30: 634 Popeye lets 775 Lefty know the lip is his, 6/30/2020 video by mckate.
DanteV2000 created this gif of 634 Popeye successfully fishing the lip of Brooks Falls (p 06/30/2020 08:41 ). DanteV2000 also created this gif of 634 slaying it on the lip (p 06/30/2020 08:50 ). DanteV2000 created this gif of 634 Popeye successfully fishing the lip of the falls (p 06/30/2020 09:13 ):
July 2020:[]
2020.07.??: 634 Popeye July 2020 photos by Kara Stenberg posted on Brooks Lodge's Facebook on 8/1/2020, 8/21/2020 and 9/4/2020.
Please request Kara Stenberg's permission prior to using her photographs!
2020.07.01: 634 Popeye ( near) at the falls, 7/1/2020 snapshot by CamOp Snick and on the lip, snapshot by posting real. Snapshot by LSN.
_July_1,_2020_snapshot_by_LSN.jpg "634 Popeye (near) July 1, 2020 snapshot by LSN.jpg (84 KB)")
2020.07.02: 634 Popeye's early morning visit to Brooks Falls, snapshot by tdbenedetto, snapshot by komepan and snapshot by Paula.
2020.07.03: Scooch's 7/3/2020 snapshot of 634 Popeye (left) and 480 Otis (right). GreenRiver's 7/3/2020 snapshot of 634 Popeye. 7/3/2020 snapshots by GreenRiver, #1 and #2.
_and_480_Otis_(right)_July_3,_2020_snapshot_by_scooch.jpg "634 Popeye (left) and 480 Otis (right) July 3, 2020 snapshot by scooch.jpg (267 KB)")
2020.07.04: 856 goes out of his way to show 634 Popeye who is boss, 7/4/2020 video by Naomi Boak.
2020.07.05: 7/5/2020 snapshots of 634 Popeye from the Brooks Falls Gallery, #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 and #6.
2020.07.06: 7/6/2020 snapshots of 634 Popeye (far) and 480 Otis (near) from the snapshot gallery, #1 and #2. 7/6/2020 snapshots of 634 Popeye from the snapshot gallery, #1, #2 and #3.
_and_480_Otis_(near)_July_6,_2020_snapshot_.01.jpg "634 Popeye (far) and 480 Otis (near) July 6, 2020 snapshot .01.jpg (146 KB)")
_and_480_Otis_(near)_July_6,_2020_snapshot_.02.jpg "634 Popeye (far) and 480 Otis (near) July 6, 2020 snapshot .02.jpg (149 KB)")
2020.07.07: 634 Popeye enters the falls area by the platform, 7/7/2020 video by Birgitt.
7/7/2020 snapshots of 634 Popeye from the snapshot gallery, #1 and #2.
2020.07.09 or prior: 634 Popeye July 9, 2020 or prior photo by Kara Stenberg on Brooks Lodge's 7/9/2020 Facebook post. Please request Kara Stenberg's permission prior to using her photographs!
2020.07.09: Cruiser's 7/9/2020 snapshot of 634 Popeye.
Scooch's 7/9/2020 gif of 634 Popeye standing in a salmon boil. Note: Due to 12.7 mb gif size, gif will play once and then refresh the page to see a 2nd time.
2020.07.12: 634 Popeye around Brooks Falls, 7/12/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.07.15: A nice long look at 634 Popeye at Brooks Falls, 7/15/2020 video by Ratna Narayan.
GreenRiver's 7/15/2020 snapshots of 634 Popeye, #1, #2 and #3.
2020.07.16: 7/16/2020 snapshots by phillydude, #1, #2 and #3.
2020.07.17: 775 Lefty and 634 Popeye have words in the far pool, 7/17/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.07.19: 911 on the lip, 503 in the J, 807 behind 503, 775 Lefty next to the J, 856 by the chute, 480 Otis in the office, and 634 Popeye by the trail, 7/19/2020 video by mckate.
2020.07.20: 634 Popeye at Brooks Falls, 7/20/2020video by Ratna Narayan.
2020.07.21: 634 Popeye boots 503 from the far pool, 7/21/2020 video by mckate.
September 2020:[]
2020.09.22: 634 Popeye returned to Brooks falls on 9/22/2020, video by Becky Osberg. 634 was on a long hiatus lasting 9 weeks!
Lani H also captured 9/22/2020 video of 634 Popeye's return.
Former Bear's 9/22/2020 video of 634 Popeye's slow climb of the old fish ladder. "634 Popeye is taking his turn tackling the dreaded fish ladder at Brook Falls. Can he beat 775 Lefty's record yesterday, now that is pushing 1,000lbs?"
2020.09.25: 634 Popeye made a short stop at the falls on 9/25/2020, video by Lani H. That was the last day he was seen on the cams in 2020.
2021:[]
634 Popeye was included in the 2022 Bears of Brooks river book page 78.
2021 Season:[]
Deanna Dittloff (aka deelynnd) created this 2021 season video of 634 Popeye, "634 Popeye 2021."
May 2021:[]
2021.05.26: Ranger Naomi stopped in chat on 5/28/2021. When asked if she had seen 747 Ranger Naomi replied "We also saw him chase off (634) Popeye from the lower river two days ago." That would have been on 5/26.
June 2021.[]
2021.06.18: A large boar was observed on the BFL and BF cam early in the morning of 6/18/2021. The boar appears to be 634 Popeye. If so, this is his first cam appearance of 2021. Steph captured three snapshots, #1, #2 and #3. Blair-55 shared two gifs, #1 and #2. DanteV200 shared a gif with views from BFL and BF.
Hey Princess's 6/18/2021 video of 634 Popeye on the BFL cam.
Flyer 4477's 6/18/2021 video with BFL and BF views.
2021.06.24: 634 Popeye made his first daylight appearance on the cams on 6/24/2021, video by Hey Princess. He spent time eating grass on the island and posing for photographers. He is a stunning boar.
JG captured this 6/24/2021 video of 634 Popeye.
Park visitor and cam viewer Truman Everts captured this June 24, 2021 17:46 AKDT photograph: Truman Everts shared five additional 6/24/2021 photos of 634 Popeye, #2, #3, #4, #5 and #6.
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
Brooks Camp visitor WSJ captured three photos of 634 Popeye on 6/24/2021, #1, #2 and #3. Please request WSJ's permission prior to using their photographs!
Cam viewers captured 6/24/2021 snapshots and gifs. Snapshot by honeybear27, snapshot by ykmir, snapshot by Shel_, snapshot by TRosenhan, snapshot by kcanada, Cruiser's snapshot collage, Cruiser's gif, LunaCre's gif, Cruiser's snapshot collage.
2021.06.26 or prior: Instagram photos and video of 634 Popeye by staceyinalaska, posted on 6/26/2021. Swipe left to view more photos and a video. Popeye can be observed doing a little cowboy walking in the beginning of the video.
2021.06.27: Truman Everts shared four 6/27/2021 photos of 634 Popeye, #1, #2, #3 and #4.
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
634 Popeye checks the falls and riffles shore, 6/27/2021 video by JG.
Hey Princess's 6/27/2021 video of 634 Popeye eating his greens.
July 2021:[]
2021.07.01: Truman Everts shared two 7/1/2021 photos of 634 Popeye, #1 and #2. Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
634 Popeye, 83 Wayne Brother and 94 splash and search the lower river. Some salmon must have been moving through, 7/1/2021 video by JG.
JG's 7/1/2021 video of 2 encounters between 634 Popeye and 151 Walker.
2021.07.02: 634 Popeye fishes the J and then heads up the far bank, 7/2/2021 video by Cheryl B.
7-2-2021 1-44 PM AKDT Popeye 634 in the J then walking up hill scent marking Explore.org
Video by Cheryl B
2021.07.04: Amy (NWBEARLOVE92) shared a 7/4/2021 photo of 634 Popeye on 1/22/2023. "634 Popeye rubbing his scent on the island….back when there was still an island."
Please request Amy's (aka NWBearLove92) permission prior to using any of her photographs!
.jpg "634 Popeye July 4, 2021 photo by Amy (NWBEARLOVE92).jpg (4.55 MB)")
634 Popeye fishes the lip (0:00-7:14), 7/4/2021 video by Ratna Narayan.
2021.07.05: Truman Everts shared two 7/5/2021photos of 634 Popeye, #1 and #2.
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
856 reminds 634 Popeye that he is still the boss, 7/5/2021 video by Hey Princess.
2021.07.06: Truman Everts shared this 7/6/2021 photo of 634 Popeye.
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
NWBearLove92 shared this 7/6/2021 photo of 634 Popeye. "634 Popeye took his salmon to go just in case pesky pirates were tempted to steal his catch. 7/6/21." Please request NWBearLove92's permission prior to using any of their photographs!
151 Walker fights 634 Popeye, 7/6/2021 video by JG.
2021.07.07: 634 Popeye fishes below the falls, 7/7/2021 video by JG.
Park visitor and cam viewer, Truman Everts captured this July 7, 2021 19:3? AKDT photograph of 634. Truman Everts shared two additional 7/7/2021 photos of 634 Popeye, #2 and #3.
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
NWBearLove 92 shared a 7/7/2021 photo of 634 Popeye. "634 Popeye is a magnificent bear! Photo taken 7/7/21." NWBearLove 92 shared a 7/7/2021 photo of 634 Popeye. "Impressive 634 Popeye near the conveyor belt on 7/7/21." Please request NWBearLove92's permission prior to using any of their photographs!
2021.07.08: NWBearLove92 shared this 7/8/2021 photo of 634 Popeye. "634 Popeye sitting under the waterfall….He is a stunning bear. He doesn’t seem to shed very much and his fur always looks perfect. 7/8/21. "Amy (NWBEARLOVE92) shared a 7/8/2021 photo of 634 Popeye on 1/22/2023. "634 Popeye arriving at the falls."
Please request NWBearLove92's permission prior to using any of their photographs!
Please request Amy's (aka NWBearLove92) permission prior to using any of her photographs!
.jpg "634 Popeye July 8, 2021 photo by Amy (NWBEARLOVE92).jpg (1.71 MB)")
GA Bear's 7/8/2021 video, 634 Popeye fights 503 for a fish. "634 Popeye leaves the lip to try to steal a fish from 503. 503 continues to eat and ignores 634 until 634 is in his face. He drops the fish and fights off 634. 634 is able to pick up the floating fish. 503 maintains his spot in the Jacuzzi."
2021.07.09: 856 defends the "J" sending 747 to the side. 747 then displaces 634 Popeye, 7/9/2021 video by flyer 4477.
2021.07.10: 634 Popeye on the lip, 7/10/2021 video by Cheryl B.
7-10-2021 3-28 PM AKDT PM You put your left paw out, you put your left paw in Gotcha!!! Explore.org
Video by Cheryl B
2021.07.11: 634 Popeye at the falls, 7/11/2021 snapshot by wildgrizzly399.
2021.07.12: 634 Popeye eating his salmon, 7/12/2021 video by Hey Princess.
2021.07.13: 634 Popeye on the lower river, 7/13/2021 video by Cheryl B.
7-13-2021 7-00 PM AKDT Popeye 634 walking in with a swagger, stops in front of 719 Explore.org
Video by Cheryl B
2021.07.14: A subadult (possibly 719's dark, male subadult) watches 634 Popeye on the lower river, 7/14/2021 video by mckate.
2021.07.16: 634 Popeye as seen on the low cam, 7/16/2021 snapshot by May.
2021.07.17: 634 Popeye can be seen courting 402 at 0:11 into this 7/17/2021 video by markindify.
2021.07.18: Close up of 634 below the falls, 7/18/2021 video by JG.
2021.07.19: 634 Popeye moves a younger bear out of his fishing spot then catches a fish mid-air, 7/19/2021 video by flyer 4477.
2021.07.21: 634 Popeye fishes below the falls, 7/21/2021 snapshot by merry_mermaid~Mermaids4Otis.
2021.07.23: 634 Popeye resting at the falls, 7/23/2021 video by Hey Princess.
2021.07.23-07.26: Theresa Bielawski shared six 7/23-7/26/2021 photos of 634 Popeye in chat, #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 and #6. "The handsome Popeye in July 2021. 747 strolled by, but it was uneventful." Theresa Bielawski shared two additional 7/23-7/26/2021 photos of 634 Popeye, #1 and #2.
Please request Theresa Bielawski's permission prior to using her photographs!
_and_747_(left)_July_23-July_26,_2021_photo_by_%C2%A9Theresa_Bielawski_.01.jpg "634 Popeye (right) and 747 (left) July 23-July 26, 2021 photo by ©Theresa Bielawski .01.jpg (1.27 MB)")
_and_747_(left)_July_23-July_26,_2021_photo_by_%C2%A9Theresa_Bielawski_.02.jpg "634 Popeye (right) and 747 (left) July 23-July 26, 2021 photo by ©Theresa Bielawski .02.jpg (1.2 MB)")
_and_747_(left)_July_23-July_26,_2021_photo_by_%C2%A9Theresa_Bielawski_.03.jpg "634 Popeye (right) and 747 (left) July 23-July 26, 2021 photo by ©Theresa Bielawski .03.jpg (1.22 MB)")
2021.07.23-07.27: Mocha-SoCal shared three 7/23-7/26/2021 photos of 634 Popeye, #1 (634 Popeye near and 801 far), #2 and #3 are 634 Popeye.
Please request Mocha-SoCal's permission prior to using her photographs! 2021.07.23-07.27: Mocha-SoCal shared three 7/23-7/26/2021 photos of 634 Popeye, #1 (634 Popeye near and 801 far), #2 and #3 are 634 Popeye.
Please request Mocha-SoCal's permission prior to using her photographs!
2021.07.24: 634 Popeye in the office, 7/24/2021 snapshot by Blair-55.
_July_24,_2021_snapshot_by_Blair-55.jpg "634 Popeye (far) July 24, 2021 snapshot by Blair-55.jpg (92 KB)")
2021.07.25 or prior: Aditya Datta's (atxdatta) 7/25/2021 or prior Instagram photo of 634 Popeye on the lip. 2021.07.25: 634 Popeye standing by the rock wall, 7/25/2021 snapshot by Debi (Bearz61).
.jpg "634 Popeye July 25, 2021 snapshot by Debi (Bearz61).jpg (107 KB)")
2021.07.26 or prior: Aditya Datta's (atxdatta) 7/26/2021 or prior Instagram photo of 634 Popeye.
2021.07.26: 856 (not 89) closest and 634 Popeye (in the office) are seen fishing in this 7/26/2021 video by Itzy Holly.
A beautiful bear- 89 July 26 2021 explore.org
856 (not 89) closest and 634 Popeye in the office fish the falls, 7/26/2021 video by Itzy Holly
2021.07.27: 634 Popeye resting, 7/27/2021 video by JG.
2021.07.28: 480 Otis gets interrupted by 634 Popeye and loses his snack, 7/28/2021 video by Flyer 4477.
2021.07.29: After 634 Popeye gets moved from his spot by 747, 634 Popeye heads towards 480 Otis but is interrupted by 854 Divot, 7/29/2021 video by Flyer 4477.
2021.07.30: 634 Popeye fishes below the falls, 7/30/2021 gif by LunaCre.
2021.07.31: 634 Popeye (nearest) at a crowded Brooks Falls, 7/31/2021 snapshot by BearBell.
_July_31,_2021_snapshot_by_BearBell.jpg "634 Popeye (nearest) July 31, 2021 snapshot by BearBell.jpg (114 KB)")
August 2021:[]
2021.08.01: Brooks Camp visitor and cam viewer Betsy Pitlick (aka BetsyBear) captured this 8/1/2021 photo of 634 Popeye.
Please request Betsy Pitlick's (aka BetsyBear) permission prior to using her photographs!
_.01.jpeg "634 Popeye August 1, 2021 photo by Betsy Pitlick (aka BetsyBear) .01.jpeg (5.69 MB)")
634 Popeye (right) and 480 Otis (left) fish the far pool, 8/1/2021 snapshot by Hibernating Bear.
_and_480_Otis_(left)_August_1,_2021_snapshot_by_Hibernating_Bear.jpg "634 Popeye (right) and 480 Otis (left) August 1, 2021 snapshot by Hibernating Bear.jpg (97 KB)")
September 2021:[]
2021.09.09-09.14: Theresa Bielawski shared a 9/9-9/14/2021 photo of 634 Popeye.
Please request Theresa Bielawski's permission prior to using her photographs!
2021.09.10: 634 Popeye sits downriver then heads to his favorite fishing spot, 9/10/2021 video by Cheryl B.
2021.09.11: 634 Popeye near the platform, 9/11/2021 gif by LunaCre.
2021.09.12: 634 Popeye by the rock wall, 9/12/2021 video by JG.
2021.09.13: Cam viewer and Brooks Camp Visitor 907AKSnow shared five 9/13/2021 photos of 634 Popeye with 151 Walker on 1/22/2023, #1, #2, #3, #4 and #5. "Happy Popeye Day. A few I took September 13, 2021. Sorry, weather was not my friend that day so lighting was bad. Popeye enjoying some time in the office until Walker decided to crash his party."
Please request 907AKSnow's permission prior to using her photographs!
_and_634_Popeye_(right)_September_13,_2021_photo_by_907AKSnow_.01.jpg "151 Walker (left) and 634 Popeye (right) September 13, 2021 photo by 907AKSnow .01.jpg (949 KB)")
_and_634_Popeye_(right)_September_13,_2021_photo_by_907AKSnow_.02.jpg "151 Walker (left) and 634 Popeye (right) September 13, 2021 photo by 907AKSnow .02.jpg (720 KB)")
_and_634_Popeye_(right)_September_13,_2021_photo_by_907AKSnow_.03.jpg "151 Walker (left) and 634 Popeye (right) September 13, 2021 photo by 907AKSnow .03.jpg (850 KB)")
A very clear look at 634 Popeye, 9/13/2021 video by JG.
Cruiser's 9/13/2021 gif of 634 Popeye.
2021.09.14: 634 Popeye in the office and downstream, 9/14/2021 video by JG.
2021.09.15: 634 Popeye enjoys his fish, 9/15/2021 gif by LunaCre.
2021.09.16: Cam viewer and Brooks Camp visitor Susan Rennie shared three 9/16/2021 photos of 634 Popeye, #1, #2 and #3.
Please request Susan Rennie's permission prior to using her photographs!
634 Popeye fishes on the conveyer, 9/16/2021 gif by LunaCre.
634 Popeye fishes on the conveyer, 9/16/2021 gif by LunaCre.
2021.09.17: 747 displaces 634 Popeye, 9/17/2021 video by Hey Princess.
2021.09.18: 856 asserts himself to 634 Popeye, 9/18/2021 video by Hey Princess. This was the last day that 634 Popeye was observed.
2022: Adult Male[]
2022 Season:[]
Deanna Dittloff (aka deelynnd) created this 2022 season video of 634 Popeye, "Bear 634 Popeye 2022."
June 2022:[]
2022.06.26-06.30: Melissa Freels shared this June 2022 photo of 634 Popeye on 1/22/2023. "I did get a few good viewing and photo ops with 634 "Pops" Popeye, most recently this past June, though he moved on quickly when approached by another large male (856, if I remember correctly)."
Please request Melissa Freel's permission prior to using her photographs!
2022.06.28: 634 Popeye returned to Brooks Camp on 6/28/2022, video by Hey Princess. He avoided conflict with 856 by heading back downstream.
634 Popeye returns to the falls and avoids conflict with 856 Explore.org 06-28-22
Video by Hey Princess
2022.06.29: 634 Popeye fishes below the falls, 6/29/2022 video by Jen Schneider.
2022.06.30: 634 Popeye pirates from 164, 6/30/2022 video by mckate.
July 2022:[]
634 Popeye appears on the list of Bears Monitored in July 2022.
2022.07.01: Truman Evert's 7/1/2022 photo of 634 Popeye. "The most thoughtful eyes in Brooks River." Truman posted a similar 7/1/2022 photo of 634 Popeye. "This of course is the pretty face & soulful eyes of bear 634 (aka: "Popeye"). 2021 was my banner year for portraits of Mt. 634...this year I saw him less and usually at greater distance."
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
634 Popeye close up, 7/1/2022 video by JG.
2022.07.02: Truman Everts captured two 7/2/2022 photos of 634 Popeye, #1 and #2. 634 Popeye fishes the lip, 7/2/2022 photo by Truman Everts. "634 (aka: "Popeye") showing off that perfect physique that has landed him on the cover of GQ magazine over 10 times. The prominent (muscle, for digging) hump, is especially exquisite."
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
634 Popeye possibly courting 854 Divot, 7/2/2022 video by Flyer 4477.
2022.07.03: 83 Wayne Brother puts up a fight when 634 Popeye tries to steal his fish, 7/3/2022 video by Jen Schneider. 634 Popeye appears to be successful.
83 puts up a fight when 634 Popeye tries to steal fish Brooks Falls Low cam Explore.org 7-3-2022-2
Video by Jen Schneider
2022.07.04: Early morning 634 Popeye in the riffles early in the morning on 7/4/2022, video by Jen Schneider.
2022.07.05: 747 bites 634 Popeye for no apparent reason, 7/5/2022 video by JG. It appeared that pieces of fur fell off of 634.
2022.07.07: 634 Popeye displaces 20 and then almost gets bit by 151 Walker, 7/7/2022 video by JG.
2022.07.09: 634 Popeye fishes the lip and the far bank and sits in front of the platform, 7/9/2022 video by JG. He does not appear to have any wounds or large patches of missing fur from 747 biting him. See 7/5/2022 video.
2022.07.11: Jen Schneider's 7/11/2022 video of 634 Popeye in a close-up view.
2022.07.12: Another stunning close-up of 634 Popeye, 7/12/2022 video by Jen Schneider.
856 ignores 634 Popeye catching a fish, 7/12/2022 gif by LunaCre.
2022.07.13: 32 Chunk (near) and 634 Popeye in the office, 7/13/2022 video by OLDBEAR44.
2022.07.14: 634 Popeye finding fish scraps and eating by the island, 7/14/2022 video by Cheryl B.
2022.07.15: 634 Popeye hangs tough when 856 blocks his way to the river, 7/15/2022 video by Flyer 4477.
2022.07.16: 747 (near) and 634 Popeye (far) fish the far pool, 7/16/2022 video by Jen Schneider.
2022.07.17: 634 Popeye scores a fish below the falls, 7/17/2022 video by Jen Schneider.
2022.07.18: 634 Popeye tries fishing the riffles, 7/18/2022 video by Jen Schneider.
2022.07.19: 634 Popeye fishes below 128 Grazer and cubs, 7/19/2022 video by Jen Schneider.
2022.07.20: 634 Popeye fishes the far side of the falls, 7/20/2022 video by Jen Schneider.
2022.07.21: 634 Popeye has the far pool to himself in this 7/21/2022 video by Jen Schneider.
2022.07.22: 128 Grazer and cubs fish the far pool with 634 Popeye, 7/22/2022 video by Cheryl B.
2022.07.23: 480 Otis and 634 Popeye fish the far pool, 7/23/2022 video by Jen Schneider.
2022.07.26: 634 Popeye appears to challenge 747 by the island in this 7/26/2022 video by JG.
2022.07.27: 634 Popeye displaces 480 Otis from the office, 7/27/2022 video by Jen Schneider.
September 2022:[]
634 Popeye appears on the list of Bears Monitored in September 2022.
2022.09.01: 634 Popeye returned to Brooks falls after a 5 week absence. He can be seen fishing in the office in this 9/1/2022 video by JG.
NWBearlove92's 9/1/2022 photo of 634 Popeye. "634 Popeye was grumpy because he got kicked out of the office by 856. He’s such a great looks bear. 9/1/22."
Please request Amy's (aka NWBEARLOVE92) permission prior to using any of her photographs!
2022.09.02: 634 Popeye and 480 Otis have a kerfuffle in this 9/2/2022 gif by LunaCre.
2022.09.03: 634 Popeye throughout the day at the falls, 9/3/2022 video by JG.
2022.09.04: Amy (NWBEARLOVE92) shared two 9/4/2022 photos of 634 Popeye on 1/22/2023, #1 and #2. "634 Popeye taking advantage of some easy fishing opportunities on the lower river. " Amy (NWBEARLOVE92)'s 9/4/2022 photo of 634 Popeye. "Seeing 634 Popeye fishing in the lower river was a nice surprise. I think he was taking a break from all the boar drama at the falls. He seemed to be peacefully enjoying his quiet fishing time. 9/4/22."
Please request Amy's (aka NWBearLove92) permission prior to using any of her photographs!
_.01.jpg "634 Popeye September 4, 2022 photo by Amy (NWBEARLOVE92) .01.jpg (1.34 MB)")
_.02.jpg "634 Popeye September 4, 2022 photo by Amy (NWBEARLOVE92) .02.jpg (4.25 MB)")
_.03.jpg "634 Popeye September 4, 2022 photo by Amy (NWBEARLOVE92) .03.jpg (1.63 MB)")
While 480 is scavenging on the lower river, 634 Popeye arrives and subtly steals his fish (6:20-7:15), 9/4/2022 video by JG.
2022.09.05: Cam viewer and Brooks Camp visitor bubdoggy shared this 9/5/2022 photo of 856 (left) and 634 Popeye (right) on 1/22/2023. "856 and 634 Popeye on 9/5/22." Bubdoggy shared this 9/5/2022 photo of 634 Popeye on 1/22/2023.
Please request bubdoggy's permission prior to using their photographs!
_and_634_Popeye_(right)_September_5,_2022_photo_by_bubdoggy.jpg "856 (left) and 634 Popeye (right) September 5, 2022 photo by bubdoggy.jpg (3.86 MB)")
Bubdoggy (aka Scott and Kara Jones) shared this 9/5/2022 video of 634 Popeye (right) , 856 (left) and 89 Backpack. "634 Popeye meets 856 at Alice's Restaurant. 89 Backpack does not want to join them and passes by."
634 Popeye meets 856 with 89 Backpack appearance 090522
Video by bubdoggy (aka Scott and Kara Jones)
Bubdoggy (aka Scott and Kara Jones) shared this 9/5/2022 video of 634 Popeye above the falls. "This is the first time we saw 634 Popeye on our visit. He appeared above the falls on the evening of September 5, 2022."
634 Popeye is seen at the falls (on the right at 1:13-3:12) in this 9/5/2022 video by Ratna Narayan.
2022.09.06: Cam viewer and Brooks Camp visitor bubdoggy shared two 9/6/2022 photos of 634 Popeye and 480 Otis on 1/22/2023, #1 and #2. "634 Popeye and 480 Otis on 9/6/22. This series of photos were taken from the Riffles platform. Otis is scratching his ear, or maybe just trying to hear whatever Popeye is telling him!." Bubdoggy shared a 9/6/2022 photo of 634 Popeye and 480 Otis on 1/22/2023. "634 Popeye comes down the hill as 480 Otis watches him on 9/6/22." Bubdoggy shared a 9/6/2022 photo of 634 Popeye and 480 Otis on 1/22/2023. "634 Popeye and 480 Otis meeting at Alice's restaurant on September 6, 2022."
Please request bubdoggy's permission prior to using their photographs!
_and_480_Otis_(right)_September_6,_2022_photo_by_bubdoggy_.01.jpg "634 Popeye (left) and 480 Otis (right) September 6, 2022 photo by bubdoggy .01.jpg (4.29 MB)")
_and_480_Otis_(right)_September_6,_2022_photo_by_bubdoggy_.02.jpg "634 Popeye (left) and 480 Otis (right) September 6, 2022 photo by bubdoggy .02.jpg (4.23 MB)")
_and_480_Otis_(right)_September_6,_2022_photo_by_bubdoggy_.03.jpg "634 Popeye (left) and 480 Otis (right) September 6, 2022 photo by bubdoggy .03.jpg (4.34 MB)")
_and_480_Otis_(right)_September_6,_2022_photo_by_bubdoggy_.04.jpg "634 Popeye (left) and 480 Otis (right) September 6, 2022 photo by bubdoggy .04.jpg (4.61 MB)")
Bubdoggy's (aka Scott and Kara Jones) 9/6/2022 video of 634 Popeye coming down the hill to greet 480 Otis.
634 Popeye comes down hill to meet 480 Otis at Alice's Restaurant 090622
Video by bubdoggy (aka Scott and Kara Jones)
A close-up sleepy view of 634 Popeye at the falls, 9/6/2022 video by JG.
Description is from CWBear747 in this 7/6/2022 video by Ssunny.Y. "747 was back to being Top Bear and was displacing 856 from the Office, 634 was behind 856 when 856 stepped out of the way as if to say 'Go yell at him, I won't stop you' while Popeye was saying 'Thanks a lot pal' - lol - 747 and 634 grumped at each other for a while before The Big Guy sat down, which is 747's way of saying - 'Ok I'm done with you now, you may go."
-9-6-2022- 856, 747 & 634 Popeye "634 got displaced" (Brooks Falls Bears explore.org)
Video by Ssunny.Y
2022.09.07: 634 Popeye scavenges in the lower river, 9/7/2022 video by JG.
2022.09.08: 634 Popeye (left) has a mini standoff with 820 (right), 9/8/2022 gif by LunaCre.
2022.09.09: Cam viewer and Brooks Camp visitor bubdoggy shared a 9/9/2022 photo of 634 Popeye on 1/22/2023. "634 Popeye in the office on the morning of 9/9/22."
Please request bubdoggy's permission prior to using their photographs!
747 watches 634 Popeye pounce for fish, 9/9/2022 gif by LunaCre.
2022.09.10: 634 Popeye chased after a salmon but couldn’t make the catch, 856 is not impressed, 9/10/2022 gif by LunaCre.
2022.09.12: Cam viewer and Brooks Camp visitor angerbodha captured two 9/12/2022 photos of 634 Popeye, #1 and #2.
Please request angrboda's permission prior to using her photographs!
2023: Adult Male[]
June 2023:[]
2023.06.25: 634 Popeye returns to the Brooks River for the 2023 season and does not disappoint cam viewers with his unusual behaviors:
634 Popeye eats his greens in this gif created by Cruiser (p 11:52). Cruiser created this gif of 634 Popeye cowboy walking (p 12:04). Blair-55 created these gifs (#1 & #2) of 634 Popeye along the bank of the Brooks River (p 12:16). Rae_Rae created this gif of 634 making his way to the bank of the lower river (p 12:16). LeafyHyrax created this gif of 634 Popeye searching for food (p 12:29). LunaCre created this gif of 634 Popeye searching for food (p 06/27/2023 12:22).:
634 Popeye returns for the 2023 season in this video by mckate.
Cruiser captured this video of 634 Popeye's 2023 season return:
634 Popeye on RW returns 25Jun23 explore.org
video by Cruiser
mckate captured this video of 634 Popeye searching for food.
Cruiser captured this video of 634 Popeye's unique resourceful and opportunist food searching behavior:
634 Popeye looks for food RW 25Jun23 explore.org
video by Cruiser
zeldaautumn (aka PirateAutum) captured this video of 634 Popeye's search for food:
My First Bear Sighting On the Live Cams 634 Popeye
video by zeldaautumn (aka PirateAutumn)
July 2023:[]
2023.07.05: 634 Popeye pops in video captured by mckate:
5 Jul 2023- 634 Pops In (explore.org)
video by mckate
2023.07.07: JG described the interaction between 634 Popeye (left) and 856 (right) on July 7, 2023: "The RF camera was zoomed out but you can make out that 856 charged at 634 off the bank above the falls kind of like he did to 151. 634 pushed back and swatted 856. Then 856 swatted him twice. They stood face to face with 634 protest growling. 856 turned his back and went back on the bank." (p 15:39). Blair-55 created these gifs (#1 & #2) of 634 Popeye (left) and 856 (right) after the cam got a better view while the interaction between the two boars continued (p 15:47)
634 Popeye scans for fish in this July 7, 2023 video by mckate.:
7 Jul 2023- 634 Scans for Fish (explore.org)
video by mckate
2023.07.09: 856 can't abide 634 Popeye's lip fishing in this video mckate captured:
9 Jul 2023- 856 Can't Abide 634's Lip Fishing (explore.org)
video by mckate
2023.07.10: 634 Popeye rests on the island in this video captured by mckate:
10 Jul 2023- 634 Rests on the Island (explore.org)
video by mckate
2023.07.12: mckate captured this video of 634 almost making a lip catch:
12 Jul 2023- 634 Almost Makes a Lip Catch (explore.org)
video by mckate
2023.07.14: 807 chases down a salmon and deals with pirates in this video captured by mckate. 83 Wayne Brother and 634 Popeye were very interested in 807's fish.:
14 Jul 2023- 807 Chases Down Fish, Deals with Pirates (explore.org)
video by mckate
634 Popeye finally makes a catch on the lip in this video mckate captured:
14 Jul 2023- 634 Finally Makes a Lip Catch (explore.org)
video by mckate
2023.07.16: 151 Walker displaces 634 Popeye from the lip in mckate's video:
16 Jul 2023- 151 Displaces 634 on Lip (explore.org)
video by mckate
August 2023:[]
2023.08.03: 634 Popeye tricks 747 out of a fish in this video captured by mckate:
3 Aug 2023- 634 Tricks 747 Out of Fish (explore.org)
video by mckate
634 Popeye and 151 Walker bicker until 128 Grazer shows up in this video mckate captured:
3 Aug 2023- 151 and 634 Bicker Until 128 Shows Up (explore.org)
video by mckate
How 634 Popeye Got His Nickname:[]
634 Popeye's nickname was inspired by his large, furry forearms...front legs...like Popeye's large arms in the cartoon.
Known Courting & Mating:[]
2003:[]
Classification changed to Adult Male in 2003 from the 2002 classification as an Older Subadult:[]
634 Popeye's classification was changed from an older subadult (2002 classification) to an adult in 2003. This change in classification would indicate that 634 was observed mating in 2003.
2014:[]
128 Grazer: 634 Popeye Mated with 128 Grazer During the 2014 Season:[]
634 Popeye's page of the 2015 Bears of Brooks River book provides the information that 128 Grazer and 634 Popeye were observed mating during the 2014 season.
409 Beadnose: 634 Popeye Mated with 409 Beadnose June 19, 2014:[]
634 Popeye mating with 409 Beadnose on June 19, 2014, NPS photos (#1 & #2 ). These two bears mated near Brooks Falls for 1/2 hour. The mating season for brown bears in Katmai peaks in late spring.
708 Amelia: 634 Popeye Mated with 708 Amelia During the 2014 Season:[]
634 Popeye's page of the 2015 Bears of Brooks River book provides the information that 708 Amelia and 634 Popeye were observed mating during the 2014 season.
On July 12, 2014, Ranger Jeanne captured these two photos (#1 & #2 ) of 634 Popeye mating with 708 Amelia.
JB Grace captured this video of 634 Popeye mating with 708 Amelia.:
2015:[]
854 Divot: 634 Popeye was Observed Courting 854 Divot on Dumpling Mountain on May 17, 2015:[]
Mike Fitz observed and captured video of 634 Popeye courting 854 Divot on Dumpling Mountain on May 17, 2015. Mike's description of the video:
"I encountered two pairs of courting brown bears on Dumpling Mountain in Katmai National Park on May 17, 2015. The two were young adult bears, previously identified at Brooks River as 151 Walker and 284. In the second pair, 854 Divot was courted by 634 Popeye."
_and_480_Otis_(left)_September_2,_2022_gif_by_LunaCre_.gif){kind=link}
_and_820_(right)_September_8,_2022_gif_by_LunaCre.gif){kind=link}
_and_634_Popeye_(far)_September_9,_2022_gif_by_LunaCre.gif){kind=link}
_and_856_(left)_September_10,_2022_gif_by_LunaCre.gif){kind=link}
KNP&P posted this photo of 634 Popeye courting a female in May of 2015 (between May 17, 2015 and May 20, 2015 ~ May 20, 2015 upload date). This appears to also possibly be 634 Popeye courting 854 Divot.
2019:[]
July 2019:[]
2019.07.05: Cam viewer and Brooks Camp visitor BearTreeHugr shared three photos of 634 Popeye courting 610, #1, #2and #3. "610 was peacefully fishing in the Lower river when suddenly, big 634 Popeye appeared. He proceeded to relentlessly pursue her all over the river. We were quite concerned seeing the size difference and didn't realize how young she was at the time. Yet another example of how tough and resilient she is! Pics taken 7/5/19." " BearTreeHugr shared two additional photos of 634 Popeye courting 610, #1 and #2. "The big, bodacious 634 Popeye was a man bear on a mission the day we saw him, chasing after the beautiful 610. 7/5/2019."
Please request BearTreeHugr's permission prior to using their photographs!
2021:[]
July 2021:[]
2021.07.14: 634 Popeye can be seen courting 402 at 0:11 into this 7/17/2021 video by markindify.
2022:[]
July 2022:[]
2022.07.02: 634 Popeye possibly courting 854 Divot, 7/2/2022 video by Flyer 4477.
Known Relatives:[]
There are no known relatives of 634 Popeye as of the 2019 season.
However, GreenRiver made an observation on January 12, 2020 . Could 410 be the mother of 634 Popeye?:
"I know that 410 day isn’t until the 19th but while looking through my 2016 snapshots for pics of 409, I found some of 410. But what I noticed immediately looking at some of the pics is that her she has a “ crabby” face and what struck me is that 634 Popeye has her very same expression. Lips etc aren’t the same but there’s a lot that is the same. Is there a possibility that Popeye is her son? I don’t know if she had any male coy that lived?"
Kisper Samoyed made the same observation some time ago : "I noticed that some time age and sent an email to Ranger Michael to see if our thoughts are correct. No answer as of now."
KCanada replied to GreenRiver : "He was first identified as an “older subadult” in 2002, so if he were a cub of hers it would have to be her 1998 litter where she had one coy. I have no idea what became of that cub, though or what its gender was. ..."
GreenRiver shared these snapshots : "Well, When I saw this one pic of 410, it just reminded me of Popeye. So I did find a snapshot of Popeye from this past season. I just think they look similar. Maybe it’s just because they both seem to be frowning in these pics. :)
I know I’ve seen other pics that look like he is frowning."
Genetics Study Samples Obtained:[]
Add here
A special thank you to StMango for the NPS photos from the 2012 Brown Bears of Brooks Camp iBook.
A special thank you to Xander-Sage for creating the gif of the NPS photos from the 2012 Brown Bears of Brooks Camp iBook.