The Bear Whisperer

I begin this post with respect and appreciation to everyone who has some concern with my safety while photographing black bears.  I understand where you're coming from, and I don't take my safety for granted even one little bit.  I anoint myself  "The Bear Whisperer"  in this instance instead of using the disclaimer "Don't try this at home" because after 25 years of studying them, I am keenly aware of my connection with bears and the shared trust and comfort level sensed on both ends.


Late Sunday afternoon I looked out our kitchen window and saw a black lump in the woods.  Unsure if the lump was really just a dark stump or indeed a bear like I suspected, I stepped outside to investigate. 

The Black Lump



As I walked closer to the bear, I watched it pawing at the dirt and leaves, as in the photo above, before settling itself down in this spot to rest.  It seemed an unusual spot to lie down (wouldn't a cave be cozier?) right out in the open like that, and I wondered if it was hurt (possibly shot??) or sick, but it showed no signs of distress or discomfort.  It didn't even seem to mind my presence.

As a sign from Above (which I'm always guided by) assuring me that it was okay for me to be there (exactly where I was supposed to be) a Red-Tailed Hawk (my power animal ~ there's a spiritual story there) flew through the trees right in front of me. 

My Guidepost

Since the bear seemed to be there for some time, I turned back to the house to change my shoes from the clogs I was wearing for my workboots for easier manuvering up the steep incline, and I called my husband to check out the scene as well.  He grabbed his binoculars (and I wished I had that zoom ratio on my own lens!) and we walked up the hill to where the bear still lay.


                                                                          Bedded down.

Realizing light was beginning to fade and opting for crisper shots, I decided to return to the house for my tripod and I set it up right there on the steep hill.  Probably wondering what the heck this thing was, the bear stood up and watched me as I quickly made my adjustments to compensate for the incline......


                                                                        A watchful eye.

....and then settled back down, now facing me.


I took the following shot purposefully, fully aware of the branch that happened to fall exactly across his eyes; precisely across his line of vision.

Eyewear



I wanted to observe how it would react.  Bears are known for their keen sense of smell and hearing and that their vision is not sharp.  Granted they may not have 20/20 vision, however I have noticed that bears do see with remarkable pinpoint accuracy.  Guided by just it's senses of smell and hearing alone would not do that.  But anyway, as I suspected, the bear first lowered it's head slightly below the branch...

                                                                              Below.



Then it raised it's head above the branch, for a better, more comfortable look.

                                                                              Above.

                                                           And it listened to what I had to say.

I took a few more shots, then decided to let resting bears lie!  I know how I feel when all I want to do is rest!  I'm a BEAR!

                                                                            A parting shot.



I peeked out the kitchen window every so often, and the black lump remained there until darkness fell and I could no longer see it.  Knowing this bear chose that particular spot to rest, overseeing our house and property, I almost felt it as another manifestation of spiritual guidance and I felt a calm sense of security.  

I wondered if it would still be there at daybreak. 

It was not.