This is a Black Bear. A lone male I do believe. I learned a lot about Black Bears when I was watching them. The Rangers and Volunteers who protect the bears and other wildlife from us humans were incredible and loved talking about their bears.This is a “yearling” cub born over the winter of 2020 – 2021. He (or she) is about to be turned loose by mom (standing in the background) in around June or July. Mom will then start thinking about a new batch of cubs while these cubs start fending for themselves.A mother Black Bear (about 250 pounds) with her “Yearling” cub.This was a lone Male. Most bears are solitary. Mother bears will defend their cubs from males who can and most likely will kill the cubs.This is what happens when people bring dogs into the park. Dogs see the bears from the cars and start barking . . . next thing that happens is the cubs are on the run!The same thing happens when load cars or motorcycles come by revving their engines and making lots of noise.It was not unusual to see a sow (mother bear) with two cubs. I saw sows with three cubs and even one sow with four cubs. This is an indication that food was readily available during the breeding year. Last year the park suffered an acorn crop failure so there is some trepidation amongst the volunteers who monitor the safety of the bears about what this year’s crop of new cubs will be. I was too early to see them this time, but they should be showing up soon the moms start bringing the newbies out of the dens. More barking dogs!! I was amazed to see just how fast these cubs can run.Close up of a cub. We were all restricted to no closer than a 50 yard approach to the bears and there were volunteers everywhere enforcing the rules. This cub had a very unusual muzzle color that extended up it’s face. Made him easy to recognize later in the week.Crossing the road is always dangerous. Luckily the volunteers were there to control traffic. This little one has just watched it’s sibling cross and wasn’t too sure about doing it as well.It became almost common knowledge amongst the photographers in the Cove that a family of bears were visiting a Black Walnut tree daily for food. They are feasting on last year’s walnuts buried in the grass. I waited for hours for them to show up . . . but then I turned around and saw this! . . . and here they come.Chow time! The sow here is estimated between 250 – 300 pounds. She and her offspring all look well fed and healthy!This sow and her one offspring seemed inseparable. I finally realized that as she was eating, the cub was mooching walnuts from her because he didn’t seem to like cracking them itself. This is the child that will never leave home!!Curious cub watching crows fly by.This new sow and her three cubs entered the same pasture area as the other sow and cubs eating the walnuts. This sow made the other look small!The sow and cubs under the walnut tree were oblivious of the approaching strange bear family . . . until . . . . . . the wind must have changed direction and sow under the tree went on alert. Two cubs went up . . . . . . while mom and one cub stood their ground. Luckily, the strange family of interlopers wandered the other way, back into the tree line, or this could have been interesting. The volunteers said that females are a bit more accepting of other females . . . but not so much when food is an issue.Naturally, while mom was keeping them safe on the ground, the one treed bear decided to take a nap!!A nice, long nap!With peace restored . . . it was bear life as usual.
As you can tell, I truly enjoyed sitting and watching the bear in Cade’s Cove. They are one of the many things I want to experience on my journey. They can become addictive fur balls!! Even if you do not own “big glass” or do not enjoy photography, please go see the bears . . . but stop and sit, watch them for a while. Watch their expressions as they interact, see them at play and browse for food, observe the bear family activities . . . but unlike me . . . take sun block!! LOL Thank you for visiting. I am moving on into Virginia next . . . heading out over the next week to Assateague National Seashore to hopefully find and photograph wild horses on the beach!
On a side note . . . I had a blast meeting all the wonderful fellow photographers from around the country in the Cove. We are a truly crazy, and possibly certifiable lot of loons . . . up and out early, sometimes in the worst weather, staying out in the blazing sunny until dark and late waiting for that “one shot” (oft times to the ire of our spouses!!) . . . but you all so far have been the most helpful and friendly community of strangers. I hope to see each and all of you again along my way!!
What the Walrus said . . . 
One response to “Bears, bears and more bears.”
Hello..love your Posts
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