It’s been a busy bird season and I’ve seen some possums, skunks, many rabbits, deer, and heard coyotes but I’d been thinking what was missing were bear sightings.
What an entertaining story, Frances! Black bear sightings are common in the forests and nearby cities of the southeastern states. Campgrounds have supposedly bear-proof containers for trash, but lately bears have been getting into them anyway. The guide for my Great Smokies hike in June told us that a reporter interviewing a park ranger had asked why that was happening, and the ranger replied, "The problem is that there is considerable overlap between the smartest bear and the dumbest tourist."
Ha, ha, what a great line from the park ranger! Last night what I think was the bear from last week was roaming around again and on my porch at 7:45pm, just as I had put the leash on my dog to take him out. I ordered an air horn this morning.
I went for a walk in my favourite woods this morning (in the tame UK) and I think the largest creature I saw on the ground this time was a little wren (do you have wrens where you live Frances?), I have seen deer, and evidence of foxes and badgers, but I cannot imagine what it would be like to meet a non-human creature in these woods BIGGER than me! But it's great to read of your encounter!
I love wrens, Liz. Here there are Carolina Wrens who, with climate change, stay here much of the year. Last year this pair made a nest in a hanging floral plant on the porch and when the eggs hatched, the parents were very upset with my comings and goings. And the plant didn't get watered until the nestlings fledged.
Yes, encountering a creature bigger than you gives a bit of perspective to where we fit in the natural world.
Your 'tame UK" is a place I once lived briefly and felt very at home in.
Wow wow wow!!! Frances I LOVE this. I did see that film a few years back - visceral, brutal, inevitable. An extraordinary watch. I love the ‘normality’ of your conversation on the porch set alongside the ‘normality’ of a bear walking past. One situation I can relate to so clearly, the other not so much!
A wonderful experience! Re your concerns about going into the woods: could you ask a neighbour for some low-key help? You'd call and say you're heading out, and general direction, then call to say "I'm home". Dangerous wildlife is another matter, you probably know the risks in your area. There are places to walk, such as nearer roads, where the activity dissuades bears... except that handsome one! I encountered a black bear when in a blueberry patch, calmly watching me, as I picked. I left him my full bucket, and got out of there fast!
Thank you for your lovely comment and the addition of your bear in the blueberry patch encounter.
A neighbor has mentioned to me I should call her if I run into trouble in the woods but really, paths and trails are running everywhere with ravines and swamps adding to the mix. I think the answer is to walk with several people. A bit later in the autumn/fall, hunters will be in those woods with guns and later bow hunting so no walks. And there is even a time when people with licenses can hunt bear.
Thank you, LeeAnn. There was a time maybe 40 years ago or more, I expected 'someone' to do 'something' about those bear encounters. A policeman I spoke with set me straight, "They were here long before we were. What do people want us to do...kill them?" It was the proverbial cold bucket of water over the head....
Black bears are beautiful creatures, and there are many in the Lanark highlands. I have encountered them from time to time and seldom had an anxious moment. A few years ago, I encountered a mother and her cub in a bog while photographing wild orchids, and I backed away slowly. Truly an occasion to be remembered!
Such a lovely memory...black bear mother with her cub and wild orchids! Sometimes I think about the danger potentials of wild creatures in nature compared with my fellow humans. Sadly, in certain areas, it's we who come out for the worse.
Being accustomed to encountering wild creatures over the years has lessened fear but not my respect for them. Playing the 'would you rather...' game, I'd rather see the occasional bear in the neighborhood than walk in Times Square late at night. Thinking about large snakes and alligators in your area, gah, I'll take the bears.
What an entertaining story, Frances! Black bear sightings are common in the forests and nearby cities of the southeastern states. Campgrounds have supposedly bear-proof containers for trash, but lately bears have been getting into them anyway. The guide for my Great Smokies hike in June told us that a reporter interviewing a park ranger had asked why that was happening, and the ranger replied, "The problem is that there is considerable overlap between the smartest bear and the dumbest tourist."
Ha, ha, what a great line from the park ranger! Last night what I think was the bear from last week was roaming around again and on my porch at 7:45pm, just as I had put the leash on my dog to take him out. I ordered an air horn this morning.
I went for a walk in my favourite woods this morning (in the tame UK) and I think the largest creature I saw on the ground this time was a little wren (do you have wrens where you live Frances?), I have seen deer, and evidence of foxes and badgers, but I cannot imagine what it would be like to meet a non-human creature in these woods BIGGER than me! But it's great to read of your encounter!
I love wrens, Liz. Here there are Carolina Wrens who, with climate change, stay here much of the year. Last year this pair made a nest in a hanging floral plant on the porch and when the eggs hatched, the parents were very upset with my comings and goings. And the plant didn't get watered until the nestlings fledged.
Yes, encountering a creature bigger than you gives a bit of perspective to where we fit in the natural world.
Your 'tame UK" is a place I once lived briefly and felt very at home in.
Wow wow wow!!! Frances I LOVE this. I did see that film a few years back - visceral, brutal, inevitable. An extraordinary watch. I love the ‘normality’ of your conversation on the porch set alongside the ‘normality’ of a bear walking past. One situation I can relate to so clearly, the other not so much!
This is brilliant 🙌🫶
Thank you, dear Em. You're words mean so much to me.
xx
A wonderful experience! Re your concerns about going into the woods: could you ask a neighbour for some low-key help? You'd call and say you're heading out, and general direction, then call to say "I'm home". Dangerous wildlife is another matter, you probably know the risks in your area. There are places to walk, such as nearer roads, where the activity dissuades bears... except that handsome one! I encountered a black bear when in a blueberry patch, calmly watching me, as I picked. I left him my full bucket, and got out of there fast!
Thank you for your lovely comment and the addition of your bear in the blueberry patch encounter.
A neighbor has mentioned to me I should call her if I run into trouble in the woods but really, paths and trails are running everywhere with ravines and swamps adding to the mix. I think the answer is to walk with several people. A bit later in the autumn/fall, hunters will be in those woods with guns and later bow hunting so no walks. And there is even a time when people with licenses can hunt bear.
This is a beautiful post. I feel for the animals that have lost their habitat. Your question at the end brings that home.
Thank you, LeeAnn. There was a time maybe 40 years ago or more, I expected 'someone' to do 'something' about those bear encounters. A policeman I spoke with set me straight, "They were here long before we were. What do people want us to do...kill them?" It was the proverbial cold bucket of water over the head....
Black bears are beautiful creatures, and there are many in the Lanark highlands. I have encountered them from time to time and seldom had an anxious moment. A few years ago, I encountered a mother and her cub in a bog while photographing wild orchids, and I backed away slowly. Truly an occasion to be remembered!
Such a lovely memory...black bear mother with her cub and wild orchids! Sometimes I think about the danger potentials of wild creatures in nature compared with my fellow humans. Sadly, in certain areas, it's we who come out for the worse.
This is quite a post! Incredible! I do not know if I'd ever walk outside again after seeing this! Beautiful but scary! And, so big! Do be careful.
Being accustomed to encountering wild creatures over the years has lessened fear but not my respect for them. Playing the 'would you rather...' game, I'd rather see the occasional bear in the neighborhood than walk in Times Square late at night. Thinking about large snakes and alligators in your area, gah, I'll take the bears.
x