On June 10, 2024 I was in my bathroom brushing my teeth and happened to look out my window. I saw a big black blob moving in the far rear of my back yard and thought it was a bear. I grabbed my iPhone a ran out on my balcony and filmed it. At one point I almost dropped my phone when I moved closer to the edge to watch him go out of sight. Look closely when he gets near my bird house and you will see a bird sticking his head out the hole. He flew out and it didn't faze the young bear at all. I was unable to post this video because it is too long but I made screenshots.
Bear getting closer to my house having come from the "way back".
There was a bird in the box that had already flown out. Photo is farther down -- sorry it's out of order.
Wondering what this box on a stick is?
Strolling past the birdbath.
This is out of order but look closely, there is a bird inside getting ready to fly out. The bear seemed very uninterested in harming anything. He is just a youngster out on his own just taking a walk.
After he passed my house he turned right and went into the deep woods.
This one is out of order too. It was just before the one above showing the corner of my balcony railing. I had just moved to the edge and he heard me but didn't know I was way above him. He never saw me. The flag is a survey stake showing my property line.
Finishing this post on Friday night at 8:45 pm. Have a great weekend. I don't like the way my posts are being emailed the next day instead when I post them but that's out of my control.
Goodbye August! Why did you fly by so fast? xo
18 comments:
NEW POST. BEAR VISITS MY COTTAGE. POSTED 8/30/24 AT 8:45pm. Enjoy!
It's amusing to look at photos, from far away, but I'd be quite alarmed if I saw a bear in my back yard. Serious business. I hope you have everything buttoned up tight so it doesn't get into your garbage and make a mess. They're surprisingly strong and smart and determined to find food. They'll even open a car door if they see something they want. And logically there must be more around. I wonder what your pets would have thought of this visitor. Take care.
mia -- I haven't seen him or any other bears since that day in June. My garbage is indoors, never outside. I haven't fed the birds in several years, just hummingbirds. Thank you for your concern. I live next to a large nature preserve and I no longer have pets, just an occasional pup to housesit for a few days for friends. I was glad I had my camera handy to record this visit. Have a great long Labor Day weekend. xo, Rosemary
Oh my gosh!! A person never knows what's going to come out of the woods. He looks like a handsome, healthy bear--probably very curious. I don't know how you were able to hold your phone still enough to record him, Rosemary. I would have been shaking like a leaf!
It is thrilling to experience wildlife of that "status" on one's own property. Great shots. Due to the drought, bears have really been moving closer to neighborhoods in my region. At my granddaughter's middle school, the administrators issue a daily "bear report" to warn parents and students who walk. I am relieved for you, that your bluebird house and bath were spared.
Pam, In the actual video I almost dropped my phone when I had to walk to the corner of my balcony to see the bear walk past the corner of my house. I've been told he was a juvenile probably in his first season on his own after his mom had another set of cubs. I'm glad I wasn't outside pruning my limelight hydrangea and having him sneak up on me. I did this yesterday and did a lot of weeding and more poison ivy pulling, roots included. I am happy I was able to record this visit from a happy bear. They aren't common in my neighborhood but are quite prevalent in others where the houses are close to each other and back up to big parklands like Jockey Hollow National Park that is nearby. The bears were here first! Thanks for stopping by. xo, Rosemary
Guestie -- The walking students should each have a BEAR HORN. They are very inexpensive and very loud. order from REI.com/bear horn. Frontiersman Bear Horn $15.95 they are in the store near me in Hanover NJ. Item #225100.
I too am glad my birdhouse and birdbath were spared. My young bear wasn't interested interested, just curious. xo, Rosemary
What great pictures. He is so dark black, with that beautiful coat. Most of our bears are more brown. My daughter lives in the forest farther north in California and bears are always pulling down her bird feeders...
Gretchen Joanna -- I thought he was beautiful too with his glossy black coat. Mine looked healthy too and maybe he was full of wild raspberries and wasn't hungry. He didn't seem to be looking for food, just aimlessly walking around looking at things on a walk. I enjoyed seeing him and am glad he didn't see me. The bears around here knock over trashcans and bird feeders in some neighborhoods but none of my neighbors have complained. I think most have stopped feeding the birds completely. Our bears seem to be hibernating later and later because of the warmer winters we have been having. Thanks for telling me about your California bears. Happy Labor Day. xo, Rosemary
How much FUN is this?? *thanks for sharing . . .
I have a question for you - a couple years back you posted a picture of a find of yours - a dog sleeping on top of a stack of books. I just adored it! I found one on Poshmark of all places . . . I gave it away to my nephew who lost his beloved dog - and have never been able to find another. A lady on ebay has offered to look for me (she travels a lot to vintage stores) - but wanted me to describe it for her. I was hoping I could copy a picture of it on your older post. Is that at all possible? Just wondering . . . .Karen
Karen -- Google: "Bronze Dog resting on a Faux Book - paperweight" https://www.google.com/search?q=Bronze+Dog+resting+on+a+Faux+Book+paperweight&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS932US932&oq=Bronze+Dog+resting+on+a+Faux+Book+paperweight&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigATIHCAIQIRigATIHCAMQIRigATIHCAQQIRigAdIBCTIzODAzajBqN6gCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Hope you find one. xo, Rosemary
Karen: I found the photo of the dog resting on a book
https://contentinacottage.blogspot.com/2020/04/dog-on-book-on-desk.html
Hope you find one. xo, Rosemary
Karen -- Here's the link for the one on eBay
https://www.ebay.com/itm/374797041729
the seller is in the UK
Best, Rosemary
Karen -- Here's another one on eBay also in UK
https://www.ebay.com/itm/335445494403?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D271354%26meid%3D3694a7e92e2340cfaf0ece0ee190531b%26pid%3D101224%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D374797041729%26itm%3D335445494403%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2332490%26algv%3DDefaultOrganicWebV9BertRefreshRankerWithCassiniEmbRecall&_trksid=p2332490.c101224.m-1
Good luck, Rosemary
Rosemary - thanks SO much for all of your efforts regarding the dog figurine! I appreciate it - and it helps very much. **always enjoy your blog - and LOVE your home:) xoxoKaren
Karen -- My pleasure. xo, Rosemary
Oh my - I would be a bit nervous - for sure!
Carrie @ Cottage Cozy -- Carrie, Luckily I was in the house when the bear visited me. I am glad I wasn't outside pruning my limelight hydrangea with my back to him. I am always on the alert now but I'm glad I saw him. xo, Rosemary
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