Alaska's critters featured at conservation center

Forth-five miles south of Anchorage a small brown-and-white sign points to the edge of Turnagain Arm of Cook Inlet and says simply, "Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center." Though it first seems to be an official agency, it's actually a private business that works closely with the state.

Regardless of who owns it, this one is worth your time. It costs a few bucks per person to enter. Once inside you can either walk the loop, about a mile and a half of level ground, or drive it in a rig of any size. Up close and personal, you will see elk, moose, caribou, Sitka blacktail deer, musk oxen, elk, brown bears, black bears and grizzly bears. I photographed this brown bear from less than 10 feet away. Later a deer came up to the fence, stuck it's nose through the wire, and licked my hand. If you're traveling with kids, they will love everything about this place.