American Black Bear, (Ursus americanus), the biggest predator in our woods.
When working in the woods I’m usually alone, but really never alone. Do you ever get the feeling that someone or something is watching you? I had this big brute spying on me one day. He didn’t think I noticed him.
My neck is tingling! Is someone there?
- There’s a sneaky bear it there!
The watcher was a big black bear boar.
Now, to answer the age-old rhetorical question.
You know the question. Yes indeed, they do poop in the woods. Just sayin’.
Hey, where’s my fierce guard dog?
Blitz decided she would wait it out in the truck. She knew the bear would leave after filling up on a yummy forester meal.
THE FORESTER ARTIST 
You give such wonderful little insights into your life – you clearly love what you do and where you are!
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Thanks Anna. Being a forester is a pretty great job.
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Wow, hope that was a zoom lens. . That looks a bit close to be to a bear! Here in Illinois I might only have to worry about a fierce squirrel or perhaps a rabbit… Hopefully not the Rabbit of Caerbannogere! 🐰
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He was all bear. In fact he was one of three bears I saw that day. The other two were a little camera shy. I would take that bear all day long over the Rabbit of Caerbannogere! “Bring out the Holy Hand Grenade!”
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hehehe
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I can’t bear to watch !! 😉
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That’s what Blitz said!
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LOVE your drawing! (Ink?) I would be in the truck with Blitz! 😀
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Thank you Joy. I won’t be hiring you as my body guard! 😉
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Yes, pen and ink.
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Blitz also knew the bear was busy! A keen nose picked up on it. 😉
How ever do you get these photos? Love your posts!
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I have to get really really close! 😉
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Wow that’s amazing that you’re so close! I’d love to get that close to a bear in the wild (as opposed to a zoo!). And another great drawing, well done!
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Thank you DG. He thought he was sneaking up on me, but really I was sneaking up on him! “Silly bear.”
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Loved this story, great photos.
Big hug and lots of pats to your fearless, fierce guard dog! 🙂
Dina
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My fearless fierce guard dog who was totally safe in the truck!
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I know, I know… 🙂
Big knuddelhug for the hero! 🙂
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Knuddelhug?
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German version of a cuddle. Highly appreciated amongst the fourlegged ones! 🙂
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A knuddelhug for Blitz it is then!
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Yes! 🙂 Blitzschnell, bitte! x
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Alles, was für Sie, Dina!
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Great post, Tim. I love the fierce sketch, and the bold Blitz.
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Thanks Zach. Yes, bold Blitz napping bravely!
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Fantastic drawing and amazing pictures to think that you were lens-to-lens with the big guy.
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Thank you Mary. They call me the “Bear Whisperer!” Okay, not really, but wouldn’t that be cool!
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Wonderful sketch and photos! I had a bear incident once a long time ago. We were camping in the high country at Yosemite and in the middle of the night, we heard a huge crash! A bear had gotten our food that was not hung far enough out on a limb. We had to hike out 10 miles the next morning on empty stomachs… that bear had eaten everything even the toothpaste!
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Thank you Anita. That is such a classic bear story. They learn quickly how to exploit campers. The rascals will steal anything and sometime everything. However, the bear did leave you a great story!
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Tim it is amazing how detailed you sketch your friend, I probably will run miles and remember nothing… Love the colours of the photos.. I bet you walk all day with fig leaf in your forest of Eden.. If I was you I will consider building an Ark… Have a great weekend.
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I think I got close enough to this bear without having to live him on a boat. 😉
You have a great weekend too Doron.
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Wow! I probably would not have noticed him. Very cool drawing!!!!
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Thank you Leslie!
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You have no idea how hard it was to convince the bear to pose for me for the time it took to draw that picture.
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It’s funny, I often think I’m alone in the bush, but it’s not so, there’s always something there, a squirrel a jay or chickadee or a bear!. Here the bears are sleeping, it’s was -29 last night.
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Brrrrrr…. we’ve been down to 19 here the last two mornings, which is very cold for us. -29 brrrrrr
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it is -29 in C which translates to -20 F, not quite so cold but still brrr
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Still major cold!
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You could have ended up as Tim who was found “barely/bearly” there. I do hope you carry a gun . Bears attack, do they not, sometimes? What mm lens are you using for those shots?
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When I remember to pack it I do. These black bears generally run away, unless you bump into a mama with cubs. I carry in case I run into some cartel dope growers.
My camera is a Nikon Coolpix P510. It is actually a higher end point and shoot with an excellent 42x optical zoom. Mary has the big dog Nikon. It is way fancier and faster than mine. What I like about is I have it with me all the time and if it gets damaged I won’t be out a fortune. It does take a pretty good picture.
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Thanks for answering. Tim, I really hope that you are not taking chances with your life. Alone in the woods is good but it is also dangerous but then I am writing something that you aleady know.
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Awww, thanks Yvonne.
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Hi Tim
Thanks for calling in on my blog and the follow. I’ve been having a little look around your wonderful pictures – what a fascinating life you lead – your art really tells your story.
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Thank you Jenny. I appreciate the comment. I enjoyed your post on the phone solicitors, hilarious.
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One word: Awesome! Please continue giving your gifts to the world. Love, A:)ex
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Thank you Alex.
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Nice bear 🙂
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Thank you!
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You are welcome. 🙂
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