These photos were taken last week when the bears were pretty active (and we still had snow on the ground!). These were taken with me standing at the edge of our street looking into the woods that border our property. You can get an idea of how far set back the tree is from the road—not very! Second photo is using the zoom lens. That’s Doris all curled up under the tree, by the way.

Rule #1: Before letting the dogs out in the morning, always look for bears first.

Every morning as I get up and go into the bathroom, I always look out the window into the back yard. I don’t really expect to see anything, but you never know. This morning however, I saw Ursa and the cubs in our yard. Oh boy. The dogs have had their legs crossed for about an extra hour now that we managed to sleep in, so they’re raring and ready to go out. Not just yet. Sooooo ... we come downstairs, dogs are barking. I look out and see them still having a bear picnic or whatever on the rock in the woods. I put the dogs’ bowls down and step out onto the deck to see where the bears were while they ate. GONE. That quickly they realized it was time for the dogs to take back over their yard and conveniently left. They are amazing. Within five minutes they were nowhere in sight.

Not quite through visiting for the day I guess. Just at dark (7:20 p.m.) last evening the dogs started their alarm barking. We looked out the front window to see Ursa and cubs in the driveway. They must have been pretty close to the window when the dogs first saw them. They were headed across the road to the neighbor’s, so I called Kim to warn her but no one answered. I left a message anyway about the bears. About five minutes later she called me and while on the phone her dogs started barking like crazy and she said she had to call me back. Sure enough, the bears were on her doorstep! Good thing she listened to my message first and didn’t let the dogs out as soon as she got home!

I don’t much like these late visitations. During the day is one thing, but when it’s dark it’s another. I still think they haven’t adjusted to Daylight Savings time.

Plus, this morning I see that she finally managed to break the basin to my bird bath. It lies there overturned with a huge wedge broken out of it. Sigh. I guess a pottery bird bath is not a good thing to have with bears around.

I was going into bear withdrawal. I hadn’t seen the beary-boos in a week; not since they showed up at just dark at the bottom of our deck steps. After seeing them nearly every day, either near my yard or under their Bear Tree, it was very disappointing not to see them.

This morning I had gone out to scatter bird seed and decided to clean up the spent shells that had accumulated. I was busy sweeping away, bent on my task. When I straightened up I saw Ursa, Minor and Major standing in my driveway, staring at me. They were still a decent distance away and for some reason I just wasn’t worried. I crooned softly to them and told them if they wanted they could come over and get some when I was gone. They just stood there. I went back inside expecting them to come to the feeding station, but instead they decided to go back into the woods. At least this gives the birds a chance to eat before they decide it’s safe to come back and the weird woman who talks to them is gone.

More later ... maybe ...

UPDATE
They did return and here are the pics. Doris stopped by too, but only after I didn’t think I’d have another bear visit today and put out some cheese popcorn that I didn’t care for. Oh well.

Ursa’s beautiful head

A beary butt

Minor

Major

Look at those claws on Minor! Yikes ...

Well, the beary-boos never cease to amaze me. Today they were out under Bear Tree ( I promise to try and take a photo soon so you’ll know what I’m talking about.) for almost the entire day, snoozing away. I took Al to the vet at 3:10 and returned home at almost 5:00 and they were still there. Just now, at 7:15, the dogs looked out the sliding glass doors on the deck and started their alarm barking. I looked out to see Ursa and cubs at the foot of the stairs to the deck. Yup, almost dark and here they are; cruising the yard. This is a bit scary since they are usually in their bear beds this late. We can only hope they adjust to Daylight Savings soon.