Friday, June 16, 2006

Bear Sighting

After awakening from a little nap this afternoon, I went into the back bathroom to watch chipmunks in the lawn through the window with Ava (my littlest kitty). Suddenly, I saw a big furry black leg start to amble around from behind my cherry tree.... our bear came to visit us... in the daylight! I hollered to Mike who brought the camera. Here is one of the shots of her/him taken from the side kitchen window. The plant you see hanging is now on the metal post that used to hold the birdfeeders. The bear was stymied and got no food. He/she did not seem to mind hearing us talking through the window. My cats were not bothered to see it either (they probably see it often!!). Then the bear ambled up the front slope of our yard, across the street and up the path that trucks dug out over a year ago to haul out some trees from the land across the street from us. All speculation is now officially over - we have a bear! I am glad we were not outside! We will figure out what to do now. (Maybe I will just stitch Long Dog Samplers' Do Bears? in its honor! LOL)

The first step I have taken is to do a whole lot of research on black bears. What I have learned is positive and simple. They are not known to be aggressive. If they are fed, they become habituated and lose their bear-like behaviors (which isn't good, meaning it could become aggressive!). So, all temptations must be removed (and have been). He or she will wander over 100-200 miles, depending on its gender (males apparently wander further). If we encounter the bear outdoors, we are to stand our ground. Make noise so he or she knows we are there and it will likely depart. I don't wish to encounter the bear, but now I know what to do.... There is no information to be found on my state's wildlife sites that indicate that a bear minding its own business should be reported. That would only lead to harmful, likely lethal, consequences for the poor beast. We sure don't want that! So, for now, education and taking a wait and see stance is what we plan to do.

Several of you have emailed me asking me why we have not called the authorities. Well, what good would that do for the bear? After all, it is just a bear doing its thing as a bear and has not harmed anyone. If the authorities are called, it will be harmed. And the websites I read suggested that bears simply need to be left alone, not to upset them and they will not harm you... as an animal lover who does not even like to kill insects, this works out well for me... This, after all, is life in the woods... except until now life in the woods has meant deer, for the most part :-)
In stitching news... well, there isn't much. I got a really late start tonight on stitching. Not sure why, just wasn't feeling ready until late... but I worked a lot on the big center house. Once that is done, it will feel like I have turned the corner on Part 9 :-)

I was really happy today to learn that Sugar Maple Fabrics has reopened her Treat of the Month (Mindy's version of Fabric of the Month)! I signed right up for the fat quarters of linen each month - and gave her my preference list. I signed up for this over a year ago, received my first shipment... with a note in it saying this was her last month doing TOTM...what a let down... well, it is back and I am thrilled!

In other good news, I faxed my registration for the Liz Turner Diehl class at CATS in Hershey, Pennsylvania on Tuesday, first thing at 8:45 AM...first day of registration. I had an email in to them about something else, and yesterday I got a reply about my question... and an extra note that my registration was received, all looked "great" and confirmation letters were going out next week... I hope that means I will be in the class :-) I also hope that Leslie gets in the class too (I am sure she will - she was right on it with getting her registration faxed out too - how cool!)

Stitched on today: Medieval Town Mandala

23 comments:

Nicki said...

Oh my goodness! What on earth do you do about him?!

Kiwi Jo said...

Holy cow - I mean bear! That must have been quite a shock!

Von said...

Seeing a bear in the yard would be an extreme shock - especially in the daytime! As you say, there's probably no real danger and you have your trash in your garage, I'm sure, so he's probably just traveling through looking for the next meal.

Amazing! Keep us posted on the bear's activities, Carol. :D

Anonymous said...

Yikes! I might be tempted to touch base with local animal control, if there is such a thing in your area. You can always put in hypotheticals, say you've seen evidence of one, say that a neighbor down the road has the problem, etc.

Sasha Farina said...

ohh.. thats definitely a rare sight!

Rowyn said...

What a fantastic blog entry, and what a beautiful fellow. I think it is great that you took the time to research your visitor, and that you don't want any harm to come to him. While your safety is paramount, he's just a bear doing what bears do and it would be sad if animal control came in and destroyed him. Look forward to hearing if you have any return visits. Stay safe!

Anonymous said...

What an amazing sight he/she must have been.

Living in the Middle East the only thing that might wander in our backyard is a camel ;o)

Nia said...

My my - what a lovely visitor you had. Now as you know we don't have 'bears' in Australia - but we do have koalas and as cute as they are - they can be vicious little things...so just because your bear is big and black, doesn't make him any more scary than the fluffy and cute grey things we have here!

Take care of you and your kitties and take the advice of the experts :)

(great stitching too) exams for me in just under a week so no time for stitching...no time for blogging either ...but....

Blessings
Tannia

Unknown said...

(S)He is a cutie. It must have been a shock to see it in your garden though. Interesting facts about bears.

Your MTM is coming along really nicely too.

Karen's Blog said...

Wow Carol. For me, living in Australia, this is just the most amazing sight!! Bren and I were just saying that this is about the same time we visited you last year. Imagine if, when we drove into your driveway, we saw a bear in your yard. LOL. Gosh, I was excited just seeing the chipmonks. VBG. I'm with you though, just let him be. If he isn't being agressive everything should be fine. I'm sure if you report it the bear might be killed. How horrible that would be. I look forward to hearing more about your bear.

Cathy said...

I'm with you, just leave him alone. I saw an article in my newspaper just last week about an aggressive cat that chased a black bear up a tree twice! I don't think that bear will do any realy harm.
I'm so glad you'll be in Hershey in the fall. I don't comment here often, but I read your blog every day. I hope you'll bring your WIPS and some recent finishes. I'd love to see your stitching in person!

Cindy said...

Wow...it must have been a shocker to see that! I know that I sure wouldn't be able to stay calm :)

Anonymous said...

There has been a black bear in our nearby neighbourhood. That is very unusual as the population here is approx. 450,000. There were numerous sightings and the Minestry on Natural Resources got involved. There was even a helicopter! Well we have heard no more about "The Waunder" so I suppose he's gone back home. I've been to Mindy's house. She's just a 10 min. drive from mine. What an experience!

Gill said...

Wow a real live bear! I can't imagine seeing a wild one in real life. He is beautiful .... but maybe not up close.
Fantastic progress on MTM, you are doing a wonderful job with it.

Anonymous said...

I'm sure glad you were inside! But wow! What a sight.

Anonymous said...

Cool pic of the bear. We have a bear occasionally too but have never gotten a picture of him. Moose too, of which we do have pictures. I was wondering what count linen you are doing your Houses of Hawk Run Hollow on and if your happy with the count you picked? Let me know. See you soon.

Miz said...

What a fantastic picture of the bear!

That's about as close as I'd want to get to him (looking at a picture).

lena-lou said...

Your Bear is a magnificent creature and I liked what I read about your response to having your suspicions confirmed...you seem very sensible in your attitude to it. Your MTM is definately growing...I do admire your dedication. Have a good weekend :-)

Suzanne said...

WOW, that is an amazing picture, and to think it was from right in your backyard!!!!

mainely stitching said...

Hey Carol - wow! I suggested calling the wildlife agency because the bear is already showing unusual behavior by venturing so close to the house. They shouldn't harm the bear, only tranquilize him/her and remove him/her to a more remote location.

In the meantime, it sure is a sight to see!!

Dani - tkdchick said...

A bear! Oh my! We've had some around here in the past but I was never "lucky" enough to spot one!

You MTM is coming along beautifully!

Casa Pearl said...

Great photo! They've been quite active this spring - must be the warm winter and they're hungry. I need to get my registration for CATS out this week. Although if I don't end up with the classes I'd like that's okay too!

Jean said...

Good for you for not calling the authorities, they would not so nice things. Wonderful stitching BTW!