Feathers and Fuzz

one woman's cure for the empty-nester blues

Black Bear

Black Bear Returns – Day One Demolition

by

I promised to tell the full story of the Black Bear's return, but please hang on a minute.  Daddy Blue is knocking on my kitchen window -- the mealworm feeder is empty and he is NOT happy!

Mealworms re-stocked ...  now to the Black Bear's return and Day One Demolition.  I'm fairly certain this is the same bear who was here in May.  He may look a bit taller in the July image, but note he is standing on his tip toes.

It didn't take me long to figure out he'd been here -- the sight of the trashcan turned on its side with its top ripped off -- got that now.  My mistake was in doing a better job securing the trashcan lid -- this time he ripped the handle out of the can instead of just bending the top.  Nice.  Otherwise, he was a pretty mellow dude.

I'll let you be your own judge of "mellow".  Just creating the video for this post has me shaking again!

Bear Size May-July

Stand by for Day 2

Here's a hint.  NEVER feed a Black Bear one day ... THEN take all his food away.

There’s Good News – There’s Bad News

by

I have always been one to want to hear the bad news first.  I like the good news last -- ending on a high note.  So, you'll have to follow my lead.  The BIG BAD news is this ...

He's Back!!

Bear is Back - July 2018
Bear on his back July 2018

AND ... He appears to be QUITE comfy here

I will share some video in the coming weeks, but I have to say ... so far he has been quite the gentleman.  Except for the mangling of the trash can, he has carefully pulled the lid off the plastic food containers inside the trash can (no chomping) ... and ... he has even nicely carried them into the woods by their handle.

Even so ... in spite of (Garden) Daddy Bluebird's STRONG objection ... tonight I took his babies (house and all) into the safety of my basement. They are sleeping nicely and safely.  I seriously PRAY my basement is safe!!!  I would tell you I am selling this house if this isn't the case ... but you already know my promises are worthless.

So, for now, that's the bad news.

The Good News Is ...

It has been so fun to watch the juvenile birds appearing at the birdbath and feeders.  I love to watch them explore the world on their own ... boldly behaving as their elders would.

In the feature video, a juvenile Red-bellied Woodpecker and a juvenile Northern Mockingbird co-exist.  The Red-bellied is a bit more prepared to do battle than the Mockingbird ... until the juvenile Bluebird shows up.  Then ... for whatever Hatfield-and-McCoy history exists between the Mockingbird Clan and the Bluebird Clan ... the Mockingbird is NOT going to allow the Bluebird into his territory.  It's such a fun contrast to the re-appearance of the black bear.