A Black Bear (Ursus americanus) meandered to the cabin today, after an absence of any bears for a bit more than a year. And before that there had not been a bear here for three years. Not a one.
This absence was caused by a serious outbreak of sarcoptic mange. Seems slowly the bears around here are making a recovery. Finally.
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What a delightful surprise this evening to see a Black Bear (Ursus americanus), stopping by for a visit. A young one, but old enough to be out and independent, a teenager. I was pleased to see it looking quite healthy, with no signs of sarcoptic mange. Excellent!
As I saw it nibbling on this green spear, I thought, “You don’t really want to eat that Yucca (Yucca filamentosa), do you? No, I didn’t think so.”
It let me get several photographs, then it was time for me to raise up my arms and yell. Get outa here! Be GONE! And it was indeed, gone in a flash!
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Finally, after a long absence, a Black Bear (Ursus americanus) has made its presence known to me. After seeing, not a single one for a few years, this is a treat. This one that showed up, providing me time to get several pictures, looking mighty healthy.
This beautiful creature is a youngster.
They leave their mothers when they are one and a half or two years old. I suspect that is the age of this one. Out on its own. Establishing its territory. Getting to know its neighbors.
I’ve been surprised that the Montmorency cherry tree has not been climbed, the apple tree has not been raided. Only a matter of time now.
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Until early this morning, or late last night there hadn’t been a Black Bear (Ursus americanus) in my yard for 3 years. I wasn’t sure what had actually happened. Bird feeders scattered. The pole where several of them had been hanging was bent to nearly flat on the ground. A feeder which had been hanging in a tree, now down on the ground.
But the Bear left muddy paw prints on a squirrel baffle and a suet feeder, making it definite, a Bear was the culprit.
I had mixed feelings during the time there were no Bears. I was concerned for them. Their absence was caused by an outbreak of Sarcoptes scabiei, a type of mange, that had wiped out the Bear population in this area. During their absence the number of White-tailed Deer increased. More and more plants were being chomped as the Deer passed through my yard.
But it has been absolutely delightful to be able to feed the birds with no concern for what now, has happened overnight. Mixed feelings, indeed.
I don’t actually know that the Bear that came through is truly healthy. Whether this will be the beginning of things returning to normal.
If this IS the beginning of things returning to normal, I’m very pleased, because they are so darned CUTE!
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Wondering when the Black Bears (Ursus americanus) will return in their usual numbers. Their population has dropped dramatically due to mange in this area.
In their absence White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are taking advantage of the situation. Under normal circumstances I see way more bear than deer. But now deer seem to be ubiquitous.
Great to see a bear cub again. This is not the one that was seen today though. This picture is from a couple years ago. The one on our lane today was too quick, or perhaps too shy to have its picture taken. But at least a bear is back!
Before today, the last Black Bear sighting was 14 months ago. Late April 2021. The bear that showed up on that day was suffering from sarcoptic mange. It showed up nearly naked, just skin and bones. It made its appearance and disappeared just as quickly as today’s cub. Previous visits were once every couple weeks. The mange though seems to have decimated the bear population in this local area. But it looks like they are recovering.
It’s good to have the cub come through looking happy and health. Mighty good. Now watch out for the bird feeders!
