this gentle, big belly bear
is just waiting to find a home with someone who will love him exactly as he is.
even though he sometimes wears his shoes backwards
and enjoys climbing trees and pretend like he’s a monkey.
—
“misfits aren’t misfits, among other misfits.”
-barry manilow
this guy….. acting all hangry and ready for spring
MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY – On March 7, a Yellowstone National Park wildlife biologist on a radio telemetry flight observed the first grizzly bear of 2023 to emerge from hibernation. The adult bear, estimated at 300-350 pounds, was seen near the remains of a bison carcass in Pelican Valley, in the central-eastern part of the park. Male grizzlies come out of hibernation in early March. Females with cubs emerge in April and early May. When bears emerge from hibernation, they look for food and often feed on elk and bison that died over the winter. Sometimes, bears will react aggressively toward people when feeding on carcasses. All of Yellowstone National Park is bear country.
—
“most animals show themselves sparingly. the grizzly bear is six to eight hundred pounds of smugness.
it has no need to hide. if it were a person, it would laugh loudly in quiet restaurants,
boastfully wear the wrong clothes for special occasions, and probably play hockey.”
-craig childs, the animal dialogues: uncommon encounters in the wild
—
credits: national park service, jim peaco, grizzly bear on swan creek flat – photo
ran into this guy
when out walking
frozen in place
i tried to remember
what to do
if i ever was
to meet a bear in the woods
run, play dead, make myself large, make noise
or
take a picture
leave it in the trees
for the child who left it behind
now, missing it.
—
“he looked all alone
and so sad and so blue,
so I said, “oh, dear bear;
there’s a home here for you.”
-ingrod sawubona, A Big-Bear Birthday, Please (English version)
National Park Service Notice –
READ: Please don’t run from bears or push your slower friends down in attempts of saving yourself.
As a follow-up to a previous post, if you come upon a stationary bear, move away slowly and sideways; this allows you to keep an eye on the bear and avoid tripping. Moving sideways is also non-threatening to bears. Do NOT run, but if the bear follows, stop and hold your ground. Like dogs, they will chase fleeing animals. Do NOT climb a tree. Both grizzlies and black bears can climb trees. Do NOT push down a slower friend (even if you think the friendship has run its course).
Stay calm and remember that most bears do not want to attack you; they usually just want to be left alone. Don’t we all? Identify yourself by making noise so the bear knows you are a human and not a prey animal. Help the bear recognize you as a human. We recommend using your voice. (Waving and showing off your opposable thumb means nothing to the bear) The bear may come closer or stand on its hind legs to get a better look or smell. A standing bear is usually curious, not threatening.
P.S. We apologize to any “friends” who were brought on a hike as the “bait” or were sacrificed to save the group. You will be missed.
#FindYourPark #RecreateResponsibly
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/bears/index.htm
—
“i’d rather write about polar bears than people”
-mary oliver
—
image credit: Bear resting on a log thinking bear things at Katmai National Park & Preserve, NPS/ J. Ehrlenbach
I didn't have my glasses on.... 