Tendrils

Finally A Bear Has Returned

Until early this morning, or late last night there hadn’t been a Black Bear (Ursus americanus) in my yard for 3 years. I wasn’t sure what had actually happened. Bird feeders scattered. The pole where several of them had been hanging was bent to nearly flat on the ground. A feeder which had been hanging in a tree, now down on the ground.

But the Bear left muddy paw prints on a squirrel baffle and a suet feeder, making it definite, a Bear was the culprit.

I had mixed feelings during the time there were no Bears. I was concerned for them. Their absence was caused by an outbreak of Sarcoptes scabiei, a type of mange, that had wiped out the Bear population in this area. During their absence the number of White-tailed Deer increased. More and more plants were being chomped as the Deer passed through my yard.

But it has been absolutely delightful to be able to feed the birds with no concern for what now, has happened overnight. Mixed feelings, indeed.

I don’t actually know that the Bear that came through is truly healthy. Whether this will be the beginning of things returning to normal.

If this IS the beginning of things returning to normal, I’m very pleased, because they are so darned CUTE!

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Brenda Clements Jones

6 responses to “Finally A Bear Has Returned”

  1. Sooo happy to hear this!
    Thank you for sharing the best news ever! We miss the mountains and our human friends. But most of all, we miss our bear family on Top ridge Road and Turkey Ridge!
    Our old house is for sale again! Hmmm!

    • Hey Buddy!

      Yes, good news! And those bird feeders and accessories? Absolutely no damage, and none of them were carted off into the woods, never to be found again. Such a good bear!

      And more good news? Your house is for sale and you’re going to buy it — right?? I surely do hope so! Greene County needs you guys back here!

      Thanks bunches for reading my posts!
      Bren

  2. Oh Brenda, we sure hope those pesky, BEAUTIFUL, troublesome, AMAZING, precocious, JOYFUL bears are back! Buddy and I have 3 large framed photos of the bears we miss terribly from up on Turkey Ridge. We say “goodnight bears” every night. (Yes, I know that sounds silly.) Well, fingers crossed that they find joy traipsing around your lovely Snow Mountain.

  3. Brenda, It’s great to see a bear is in your neighborhood after such a long absence. I hope with you he or she is healthy. Your pictures and comments are so good, not just of the bears but everything. Finally, I hope the return of your bear is a good omen for mine, my beloved Chicago Cubs, who have been in extended hibernation from playing winning baseball for many years. Tom

    • Hi Tom,

      It was such a sad time when we first realized that mange had decimated the bear population in this immediate area. One came through right at the end and was nearly totally furless, and was just skin and bones. It was heart breaking. Since we are on a “major thoroughfare” — the right of way for the utility poles (which is an easy path for them), we had been seeing them very frequently. We’ll see what the future holds. The story will be continued.

      I’m hoping, like you are that this will be a good omen for your Chicago Cubs. Have you tried wearing your lucky shirt while you watch their games? That might work too. 🙂

      I’ve been meaning to point out to you guys. I wrote a blog post back a few months ago with a recipe that I think you two will enjoy. It has become one of our favorite pies. Check it out at brendaclem.com/pie-tonight/

      Thanks bunches for reading my posts!
      Bren