Banner Sponsors
For artists and collectors sponsored by Intercal...your mohair supplier and Johnna's Mohair Store
Back Road BearsOk, so it's not an unusual occurance where we live in the woods of New Hampshire to see a black bear... but's it's always a thrill to see one. Especially only 20 feet away. I was standing in the kitchen window taking these shots, I was safe. I did rap on the window before she got her paws on the feeder. She waddled away... very mad, hair standing on end down her back. She was panting and moving very slow. Heat and humidity is dangerously high here today.
Apple Dumpling DesignsOoooh....how cool is that!!! So glad you were safe and comfy in your kitchen and she didn't decide to just come and rap on the window right back at ya. 
PawssiblesWow, great pics. Seeing a bear in your own backyard. 
Wow that is very cool! I have to admit I would be scared to go for a walk around there though... lol.
Bear Hugs!
Melanie
puca bearsOh wow - how amazing!!! just a question though - with bears around, do people dare to keep dogs and cats?
I remember Karen Lyons saying she sent her cats out to see the bears off, but..????
huggies
Maria
DoodlebearsAwesome but scarey, Daphne. What great shots you got there. I would love to see this but I would most definitely be inside behind locked doors.
Hugs Jane. 
Daphne,
You can back me up on this? Bears are chickens, at least black bears, here, in Connecticut. If you yell or make any noise they will run away. And it's true, even kitty cats can chase away a black bear. My biggest worry is Raccoons who can be as much as 50 lbs. and may not back down if you threaten them! I'm in town, but out of town people have to worry about Eastern Coyotes which can be MUCH larger than their western cousins approaching Wolf size! But, no, I would never be afraid to walk outside. Walking back and forth from my studio 100 ft. from my house I bump into all kinds of animals if I work late; deers, opossums, raccoons (shiver!), skunks (not as quick to spray as you would think), woodchucks if they're working late, bears are never there until the wee hours of the morning. Just think about it; all we have done to black bears in the last century and I can't remember anyone in the last 18 years I've lived here in CT being attacked by a Black Bear! Who are the dangerous aggressors, here 
Karen
Past Time Bears:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: What a cool treat! Of course, I thought it was a treat to see the coyotes in my back yard, too. I did quit feeding them dog food and they moved on. I kept thinking that they might decide to make a meal out of one of my cats. Great photos, Daphne!
Oh Wow!!!!......how wonderful is that!! such a treat for us over the pond to see a bear in the wild....thanks for
sharing the photos with us Daphne. 
Hugs Yvonne 
Back Road BearsKaren, Your city bears are more chicken than our country bears! Here's my experience from today (and I've previously told you about the bear that chased a neighbor who was only trying to get away from the thing in the first place!) Today I saw the bear approach our back yard through the woods. She was panting, moving slowly and stopping often. I let her sniff around and even get up to sniff the feeder. Then I rapped on the window. The first time she just looked around then got back on all fours and sniffed around a bit. The second time she got up to lay a paw on the feeder I rapped again and this time she swiped a paw in the air in my general direction, got back on all fours and just stared at me. The hair on her neck and back was standing straight up on end! (I was so glad I was inside!) It would not have been pretty if I'd been out there. I did let the surrounding neighbors know that she was hot and cranky and out for an easy meal.
Also... bears are out at all times of day. These photos were taken at 10:30 this morning. I often see bears in the mid-afternoon too and then other times we'll get up in the morning to find that we've 'been visited' some time in the night. We don't usually leave the feeders up in the summer so as not to attract the bear but we'd just found this feeder in the garage with some left over seed from last winter so thought we'd put it out (se we wouldn't get mice!)... haven't seen a bear in a month or so... firgured we were safe! Ha! Took her less than 24 hours to find it!
Generally speaking black bears are indeed chickens but weather, food supply, having cubs near by, time of year etc. all make a difference. It is very wise NOT to assume they'll be afraid of you (or your pets!). It doesn't stop me from walking in the woods... I just wear a big brass bell or make lots of noise... and as long as the bear isn't feeding or startled, and I don't come between a mama and her cubs they will most likely waddle off in the opposite direction.
puca bearsKaren, I believe you ! It's just that some people at least IMPLY that bears are not the nicest of beasties.....I would LOVE to see some in the wild. I didn't realise tho' that raccoons are a bit scarey......we do have them around here -
escaped pets which have returned to the wild.
huggies
Maria
Beautiful bear... scary concept, being that close to one. I'm glad you're playing it safe and smart and not letting fear stop you from living life, Daphne, but are staying on the defensive, "just in case."
Karen, I'm delighted to FINALLY have someone else on this board who shares my shivering reaction to raccoons. Nobody else believes me when I insist that, when their beady glowing eyes are staring you down, in your own living room, as they sway back and forth, unmoving and unafraid, they really do seem to be the spawn of Satan himself. We can shiver about raccoons together!
bears by beesley TMAbsolutely awesome pics Daph!
Hugs Louise
Cleathero Creations
Cat Gabriel CraftsOMG! I can't even imagine seeing a bear out of my kitchen window!
OMG Daphne!!!! Did you tell her she was a couple of weeks late for her appointment? :crackup: :crackup: Awesome pics!!
Back Road BearsAs a matter of fact I did think to myself "Why weren't you here when Laura was here??" Typical woman has her own agenda!!!!
:crackup: :crackup: :crackup:
Newcastle, OntarioHi Daphne,
Wonderful pictures! We used to have a lot of black bears around, when we lived up north. The town we lived in had enormous green spaces in town and it was nothing to wake up and find one eating your garden, or up you apple tree LOL! Kids learned very early to wear bear bells in the summer, especially if it was a bad year for berries and to deal with a bear encounter, by backing up SLOWLY and never, ever turning to run away. They just want what everyone else wants - an easy meal Take care.
hugs,
Brenda
Amazing bear and how neat that it was outside your window.
Thanks for sharing the great photos Daphne.
Hugs
Carolyn
KiddoBearsOh! My God! Daphne My respects to real Bears! I wouldn't mind seeing one, there are beautiful indeed,but far far far far from me. Thank You for sharing, your experience so close to your back yard bears. Take care and be careful. :hug: :hug: :hug:
Bears by JodiThose are great pictures !! Thanks for sharing.
q.D.paToOtieSWow! She is beautiful but HUGE. I think I'm happy with my bird wildlife...eagles, osprey, geese and turkeys!!!
Hugs,
Lisa
Wow! Definitely beats the odd squirrel - but decidedly more scarey! Lovely pictures.
Margaret
MerBear Originalsthat is just so cool. Never seen any bears around our country property - deer, wild turkeys, etc. etc. but no bears. Now racoons - so far my husband has trapped (humane trap) a dozen during the past month, just in our yard..they are awful pests!
Marion
Waggle BearsReally amazing pictures, Daphne.
