Coming home after picking up our Christmas present to ourselves [a new hi-def TV] we got quite a shock. Instead of going into the garage we thought it would be easier to pull in front of the house to unload our huge parcel. Imagine our surprise on finding this sight before our very eyes. What a strange ‘bird’ at our bird feeding station.

We knew a bear was around because Daisy had been barking at the fence earlier in the week to alert me to its presence in our woods, and yet again this morning. I could see the bear in the woods wandering aimlessly around. Poor beary-boo. It’s not cold enough to hibernate and I think she’s getting a bit tired of staying awake. She was laying down lapping up the seed I had spread earlier today for the birds. Too lazy to either sit or stand! I ran into the house for my camera [of course!] and stood on our front porch to take these photos. She wasn’t bothered too much by me and I spoke softly to her. When Rick brought the truck back again she decided she’d had her fill of sunflower seeds for the day.

It’s not Ursa, mother of the three cubs who was such a frequent visitor to our yard over the summer, but another smaller female. Ursa is much larger. This might be Doris, the bear that was hibernating under our neighbor’s deck when they moved into their house. This particular bear always leaves its signature mark: taking several pickets out of our fence as it attempts to climb over. Today was no exception. Three pickets lay discarded on our front yard, leaving a big toothless gap.

Our bears can rest easy this year as New Jersey has cancelled their annual bear hunt, which I am thankful for. I hope they get to take their winter slumber before too long. Otherwise, they might start getting pretty cranky….and hungry!

My gosh, those are great photos.  When you are shooting, is there any barrier between you and the bear?  Bears are so awesome, pretty, cute, etc. but dangerous nonetheless.

She’s a pretty one.

I am enjoying your Christmas countdown photos and blogs as well. 

“Talk” to you soon!

~firefly

Awesome!  You are so lucky to live where you are!  I have to have a feeling of space and wildlife to watch and get to know.  I do envy you, even if you do have to keep fixing the fence.  I bet that gets old after a while.  Small price to pay.

Wow!! These are beautiful bear pics! She’s so sleek and shiny. I never think of New Jersey as such a wild place, but it is, it really is.

Gorgeous!! Thank you.

p.s. My word verification (below) is “nature” - really you can’t make stuff like that up!

firefly, don’t worry. I was close to the door in case of trouble!

Meribeth, it’s pretty cool having bears around. The fence is easily put back together. We don’t mind.

Reya, WOW, how very strange your word came up nature!?