Momma Bear, and 5 more

[MountainDon]

Thanks to John (redoverfarm)



Black bears typically have two cubs, rarely one or three. In 2007, in northern New Hampshire, a black bear sow gave birth to five healthy young. There were two or three reports of sows with as many as four cubs but five was, and is, extraordinary.

I learned of them shortly after they emerged from their den and set myself a goal of photographing all five cubs with their mom, no matter how much time and effort was involved.

I knew the trail they followed on a fairly regular basis, usually shortly before dark. After spending nearly four hours a day, seven days a week, for six weeks I had that once in a lifetime opportunity and photographed them in the shadows and dull lighting of the evening.

Due to these conditions the photograph is a bit "noisy" as I had to use the equivalent of a very fast film speed on my digital camera. The print is properly focused and well exposed with all six bears "posing" as if they were in a studio for a family portrait.

I stayed in touch with other people who saw the bears during the summer and into the fall hunting season. All six bears continued to thrive.


.......story continued at

http://www.digitalphotographics.us/bearsandme1.html



Update: As of  August 22, 2008, the cubs are doing well but have gone their separate ways and there will not be another "family portrait".

[MountainDon]

How'd ya like to meet that group on a trail?

[glenn kangiser]

Not even...

[PEG688]

How'd ya like to meet that group on a trail?

Only if Pawlee was along ,

  A 15-pound cocker spaniel-poodle mix named Pawlee scared off a mother bear and her two cubs Sunday morning after they strayed into his owners' back yard.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Link : http://clipmarks.com/clipmark/F55D4EEF-4F56-4A29-A45E-00E1AB06C94B/

[glenn kangiser]

Some animals don't know their own size.

[MountainDon]

Cool pup.


The bears are active around here too. I tried to find an online link to this but failed.... There are three picnic grounds in the east mountains near here that are closed for 2 weeks. It seems that a picnic thieving bear is lurking around. A woman placed a picnic basket on a table, went back to her car for something and when she returned minutes later the basket was gone. Apparently someone saw a black bear making off with the basket.


This seems like a vaguely familiar story line. 

[Sassy]

How neat!