Catz 'n' Bears.

Good Morning Friends!!! There is so much interest in the on-going saga of the wildlife with which I co-exist here in Northeast Pennsylvania, that I've decided to create a blog just for that purpose. I am so blessed to live in an area replete with creatures large and small including black bear, deer, turkey, fox, opossum, raccoon,  amphibians, reptiles and a myriad of birds ranging from ruby-throated hummingbirds, to the majestic bald eagle.

I also have two domestic cats, Smokey & Shadow,
(<--------- Shadow, near Buddy's favorite tree stump)  who are permitted to be "in and out". Their interactions with the local wildlife are usually a source of entertainment for me, and them!!  Some of their escapades end with a less-than-desirable outcome ~ like when they catch a bird without my knowledge ~ but that's also part of the circle of (wild) life. Shadow is the more adventurous of the two, following me into the woods on my hikes, and hiding in the heirloom rose thickets, ready to defend his turf.  He is rather fearless ... and an amazing mouser.  Unfortunately, he often brings his rodent capture into the house through the 'pet door' - dead or alive.  I can handle dead better... He has also brought me live snakes, frogs and birds!  I'm waiting for the day he leads one of his forest friends through the pet door to share his home♥

Having spent over a year learning about the black bear   www.bearstudy.org   imagine my surprise when a crying yearling parked himself in a large pine on my property last spring, following family break up.  Since that time "Buddy" has been a frequent visitor.  After installing a trail cam, I see that he is not the only black bear who visits, either!  Our bird feeders are brought in each night so as not to encourage bad behavior by the bears, but we also have a large feeding rock where we throw corn and birdseed on a daily basis which is available to any of the forest critters who venture by.  We've dubbed the location, the "Hard Rock Diner".

With this maiden blog, I introduce you to Buddy and Shadow.  In the coming days and weeks, other critters will stop by to visit you; I hope you enjoy the antics and adventures of My Wild Life, as I enjoy living it!

July 1, 2010:  I believe Shadow knew about Buddy's existence here prior to me.  Have you heard that black bears are aggressive, and will eat your cats?? MYTH!!!  I honestly believe Shadow 'plays' with Buddy! Just as do I, however, Shadow respects the fact that the bears are indeed WILD (and lots bigger than him!!).  In this video clip, Buddy does exactly what bears do that is often mistaken as an aggressive move.... he bluff charges and stomps at Shadow who backs off ...but not too far, LOL!! (please excuse the background noises!)

Now, nearly a year later, Shadow hides in the rose thicket left of the rock, waiting for Buddy (or an unsuspecting rodent) to drop by...

Buddy was a scrawny cub when I first saw him, who is maturing into a beautiful young male.  Yes, I know he's a male.. I saw his "tassle" in one of my photos last year to confirm my suspicions.  I have a nice Victory garden in my fenced back yard, and it would have been prime pickings for a hungry young black bear whose mother had just sent him packing. Buddy quickly learned it to be off-limits; diversionary feeding at the HRD reinforces his boundaries.  We also live in an area chock full of summer sleep-away camps and their respective dumpsters - a sure target for local bears and one where they often get into trouble because of the children, liability issues, and over-abundance of accessible garbage not adequately bear-proofed.  So I believe my diversionary feeding encourages the bears to stay away from the camps but rather hang out here on the hill where their natural food sources exist (not to mention the snack table they find at the rock).

This is Buddy, taken May 6, 2011.  He's a beautiful, well mannered bear who has never come into my garden since the first attempt almost a year ago.  I wish I could say as much for the deer!  Buddy often stops by just to relax ~ I'm sure he knows he is safe and welcome here.  After all, I am the intruder; his family owned this land long before my name appeared in any tax roles.  And in my mind, they still do, I am just the caretaker.  As man continues to encroach into the territory of the bear, it is incumbent upon us humans to understand who truly belongs here, and behave accordingly.

When we show our respect for other living things, 

they respond with respect for us.

~ Arapaho Proverb

Buddy, relaxing on his favorite tree stump, which we affectionately call his "prayer stump" ------------>

Black bear family break up is imminent if not already happening.  I wonder if any other yearlings will stop by this year??  The trail cam has already captured images of a mother and yearling so I am hopeful. The opportunity to observe these magnificent creatures, in their natural habitat, is a genuine gift.  I hope you agree, as I begin the journey to share that gift with you♥

Behold, my brothers, the spring has come; the earth has received the embraces of the sun and we shall soon see the results of that love! Every seed has awakened and so has all animal life. It is through this mysterious power that we too have our being and we therefore yield to our neighbours, even our animal neighbours, 
the same right as ourselves, to inhabit this land. 

Tatanka Yotanka (Sitting Bull), Hunkpapa Lakota Sioux


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