Mary and I were driving into camp last summer and were approaching a little creek. As we rounded a bend in the road, this bear burst out of the blackberry bushes. It ran across the road in front of us and stopped in the blackberries about 30 feet away. I stopped the truck. It stared at us and we stared back. It appeared to be a young bear. It stayed there for a good 3 or 4 minutes while we took pictures. This bear was covered in burrs. unfortunately, that comes with this territory. 
Wild black bears usually run, but this one didn’t. Maybe, being a young bear it was curious. We’ve seen that before, “Curious Young Bear.” We also suspected that it might be a sow and she had a cub that was still below the road. Perhaps, she wasn’t leaving her baby.
Maybe, it was hoping we might stay and pick all those burrs out of it’s fur. After a few minutes of staring at each other, it ambled up the draw in search of a fresh patch of blackberries.
THE FORESTER ARTIST 
It actually has a rather gentle expression in those eyes. But I wouldn’t want to get close enough to see them for myself. Great photos!
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It didn’t seem agitated in any way. Only mildly annoyed. We decided it would have to pick out it’s own burrs!
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Oh wow, what an experience, cordelia is right, lovely gentle eyes, but…..in the second picture, I spy some great big, well sharpened claws!
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Yes, claws and teeth, and not afraid to use them!
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Although that expression on it’s face reminds me of my dog.
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Great shot! You must always have your camera ready.
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I do! In fact I just added a new camera to my inventory. So now I always have a camera in my truck and often time there’s two.
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He’s lovely!
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Yes, other than the burrs. Poor bear.
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Love the pictures and story!
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Thank you Annet! I’ve have tons of bear stories.
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I look forward to them.
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No pressure! 😳
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Haha, I thought the burrs were bees and the bear war searching for honey… 😄 Thanks for sharing these pictures, bears are so beautiful!
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Other than burrs not bees and blackberries not honey, you had the narrative right Ann. 😄
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What a terrific story and photos. What a strong sense of connection. Thanks so much.
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Thanks Linda! That was probably enough of a connection with that bear. I’d rather he bite me instead rubbing those burrs all over me! 😉
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This really made me laugh–the look on its face is priceless, plus it brought back memories of our farm dog who must have found every burr on our property and attached them to her fur. Hah!
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She did look like a big old dog full of burrs. Made me want to go brush her out, but …… I didn’t. 😳
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Yeah, I wouldn’t recommend that…LOL!!
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
BLACKBERRIES ARE PRETTY PRICKERY! WHEN THE PRICKERS POKED RIGHT THROUGH A PAIR OF HEAVY DENIM JEANS, LEAVING SCRATCHES AND STARTING CELLUTITOUS INFECTIONS—IT WAS TIME FOR ME TO QUIT PICKING BLACKBERRIES…OR AT LEAST NOT WALK INTO THE MIDDLE OF THEM!
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You just need thick fur Jonathan! Thanks for the reblog.
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I have something even better—-frozen blackberries!
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Sounds to me like time for a pie.
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yummy—send me a piece? 😀
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Cute face!!! Great pic’s!
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She doesn’t look very fierce does she.
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🙂 good capture
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Thank you Lisa!
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Reblogged this on Sneaking Bliss and commented:
Tim and I see quite a few black bear while out and about. This young sow (see her ear to head ratio and shape of her face) was covered in burrs.
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What a delight. Sorry about the burrs, but it does go with the territory. I worked at a microwave station in the Sequoia forest and I encountered one of these amazing creatures on the trail. I paused, the bear kept eating berries, and I walked on down the path. It was such a unique moment for me.
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That’s very cool Charlotte! I always enjoy the big hairy creatures. Never get tired of running into them.
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Thank heaven that all we gave to worry about when picking blackberries in Oz is the odd snake! In fact it’s just about blackberry time now – must go and check our favourite spots.
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Blackberry time, now I’m craving a pie! We alway have to look for the spots that the Bears haven’t eaten them. Although they do create a good path through the briar patches.
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We generally get so many that we freeze a lot and my partner is a dab hand at making blackberry pies.
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Nice! I’ll bring the ice cream. 😆
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