Sighting
When I arrived back home after my hike this afternoon, I saw a moving blur of coal-black. The unmistakeable blur of a quickly moving bear, trying to avoid detection. I was approaching my front steps. He was quickly entering the woods. My two cameras that I carry with me, were at the ready, but still I was too slow.
No Photo
I wasn’t quick enough. That’s okay though. He was scared off by my presence. My yard had been visited by one of my neighbors, a Black Bear or Ursus americanus. I’ve gotten many photographs of these guys over the years. I love to get pictures of them, but have learned that they are much better off if I send them on their way by hollering at them so that they know this is my home. Better off, if I don’t daly, taking photographs, making him feel welcome in my part of the woods. Bears have the rest of the forest to romp through.
Unwelcome Mat
Bears are welcomed by trash cans, and cat or dog food left outside. Feeding the birds also tells the bears that you are a nature lover. That you have the welcome mat out. A welcome mat they think is out just for them. I’ve been surprised to find out that bears love sunflower seeds. I’ve watched as bears daintily work to pick up the tiny seeds from the ground. Now I know that I cannot feed the birds, but birds will be fine without my help and the bears will be better off. Bears get accustomed to visiting our homes, getting into the delicious trash that we leave out, eating our cat and dog food, munching on the compost we have carefully buried.
The Authorities
With the temptations that we leave out for the bears, they of course keep coming back, making a nuisance of themselves and frightening otherwise sensible people. The authorities get called in, and what is their course of action? Relocate the poor bear. This relocation seldom has a good ending. They are relocated to become a problem in another area. Don’t welcome bears with your trash, pet food, bird food or compost and we will all be a happier lot.
How Big
Adult black bears range in weight from 100 to over 600 pounds or more. Their weight depends, in large part, on what food is available to them and what time of year it is. They will weigh the most as they are preparing for winter hibernation. And bears don’t hibernate because it is getting cold. They go into their slumber state because their food supplies are dwindling. A bear in Florida will have a very short hibernation, or perhaps non at all, but then they have a food supply that stays productive throughout most of the winter.
What Color Is A Black Bear
Despite their name, a black bear can be anything from an icy white, to glacier blue to coal-black to many shades of brown. Our bears, here in the east are most often black with a brown muzzle. About a quarter of these eastern black bears have a white blaze such as the one in my photo above. Bears in the west are more likely to be some shade of brown. Some bears even change color over the course of a year, and cubs of different colors can be born in the same litter. No matter what color the fur, a black bear is still a Black Bear, Ursus americanus.
What’s On The Menu
Although black bears can run up to 35 mph over a short distance, they are not built to take on a chase to hunt down their next meal. The average black bear eats less than 10 percent meat, and that often comes from found carcasses and bugs. Here in the mountains, I often find very large rocks turned over. A sure sign that a black bear has come through looking for ants and grubs.
Yawn
When I first came to the mountains, every snowfall, I’d look for bear tracks. Surely they’d come out to enjoy the snow? No such luck though, they do hibernate and by the looks of this fellow, it seems it is about time for that to happen.
14 responses to “Bears In The Forest”
Beautiful pix, Brenda. They are so shiny and healthy looking…. and big!
Nancy! Thanks for reading my post! I’d love to take credit for the health of the bears up here, but of course I can’t! It would break my heart if I did see one that was *not* in good health. Fortunately here in Virginia we have a place to call if we see wildlife in distress, The WIldlife Center of Virginia. I am appreciating that place more and more! They do great things! Bet your blueberry bushes are looking mighty beautiful now. Mine are brilliant shades of red, orange and yellow! Yay autumn!
He sure is good looking!
Kaye, I just saw a bear again this afternoon, while I was inside. A teenager, taking a drink from the pond. I guess they’re well trained by now (??). He got his drink and quickly took back off for the woods! Thanks for reading my blog!
Brenda, what a perfect blend of the beauty and the cautionary tale. Your photos are marvelous and your excellent advice on how to, or NOT to interact with bears is so important. It truly bogles the mind to think of how these gigantic powerful creatures use tiny insects and berries for the bulk of their diet. Thanks for this great post!
Thanks for reading my post Sue! I love the bears and am so concerned about them – actually, along with most other things here on my mountain. We have to treat them with respect and great care. Thank you for your kind words!
Interesting and enjoyed the article.
Ivy, thank you so much! I’m so glad that you enjoyed my post. Bears are wonderful creatures. I’ll be writing about them again some time in the future.
Thank you thank you thank you for the wonderful bear photos you’ve shared, past & present! And for this edu page! I appreciate you looking out for the bears (& teaching the rest of us!) that despite their cuddly cuteness, they AREN’T domesticated critters, though easy feedings will prompt them to TRY to become “pets”! And alas, this is NOT good for bear nor people :(. In scaring them off your little spot in the woods, you are in fact defending them! Your photos (& quilt!) reflect your love of these awesome beasties! <3
Wow Joy – you even remember my bear quilt block! Amazing! So glad that you are reading my posts! I’m thoroughly enjoying doing the hiking, photography and writing for these blogs! Thanks bunches for passing on my blog too!
Thank you Brenda for sharing your beautiful photos. Love seeing the black bear. We had them around my home in Oregon and really miss seeing them since I’ve moved. Truly enjoy your website.
Rosemond, I am so pleased to hear that you’re enjoying my website! Writing is very new to me, but I must say, I am thoroughly enjoying it! Happy to hear that my pictures brought back memories for you, of your home in Oregon. Thank you so much for your kind words.
I remember reading something awhile back about a radio collar study that found that most black bears in SNP hibernated during the winter while others did move around quite a bit. So you might actually find some tracks in the snow some day!
Anyway, these are really wonderful pictures and you have great advice for anyone living in bear country!
Steven! I keep watching for bear tracks! In part because I’m wary of the bears and what they will do to my bird feeders. I’ve gotten brave over the years and have just now started putting some out during the “dead” of winter. I know that on warm days they can and will get out to roam around to see what it going on in their world. So far, so good! No destruction at the feeding stations. I don’t have anything fancy. I just throw sunflower seeds on the ground and put up suet in a mesh bag that citrus fruit came in. Oh and I keep a bird bath filled with liquid water thanks to a water warmer. I’ve learned my lesson – when it is definitely time for the bears to be *really* roaming around, the bird feeding will stop!
Thanks for your kind words about my photos! I certainly enjoy *your* blog!