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Friday, April 13, 2012

K romps and first bear!

I've been worried about K all week. First, we had our bad news on Monday. Then, K started acting very fearful, about all the "usual" things that have scared her over her lifetime. Usually, an escalation in fearfulness means that K isn't feeling well. So, I was worried, worried, worried. I'm sure that my worry didn't help her fearfulness but I couldn't help it.

I am very relieved to say that the fearfulness is fading. K romped with joy this morning. This photo says it all.
I'm feeling overjoyed that K is happy! I feel like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders.

On another front, I went to check an obscurely-placed trail camera today, and I got a huge surprise! A medium-sized male black bear marked a "whammy" tree about 10 days ago. "Whammy" trees are pine saplings that bears rub their fur on in order to leave a scent marking.

This guy started by standing on his hind legs while facing the tree. Perhaps he was smelling the tree to see who else has marked it or perhaps he's a youngster still learning how to mark a tree. The white streaks are snow that was falling.
Then, the bear departed the picture frame for a half minute. When he returned, he sniffed the ground near the base of the whammy tree.
Then, as snow torpedoed out of the sky, he did a proper marking of the tree. At first, he almost fell over backwards into the tree. You can barely see his head in this photo.
Then, he balanced himself a little better as he rubbed his back all over the sapling.
I know that those photos are not great. They were taken with my oldest and worst trail camera (I'll be putting a better camera in that spot). Just so you know what a bear marking a tree looks like, here's one from daylight last year.
So, bear photography season has officially begun. This is the earliest that it has ever started! I love my trail cameras and our bears!

26 comments:

  1. Oh, KB! Thank you for sharing! These awesome pics are how I found your blog! I went on a "bear hunt" with my classmates today looking to qualify and quantify bear sign left behind like bites and scratches!

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  2. Thank you for sharing! I love seeing all your wildlife
    Dachshund Nola

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  3. Looks like K is saying, "I'm comin' to get ya mom." What a happy face.
    LOL the bear falling, almost, over.
    Blessings,
    Goose

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  4. I've missed your blog this week and am glad that your week is ending on a good note!

    I love the bear shots! Friends here in VA have had a bear or two around, too, but none in our neck of the woods.

    Take care and continue to enjoy your precious moments.

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  5. I'm so glad K is having fun romping! Sure wish I could spot a whammy tree in my woods. Do you ever see fur left behind?

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  6. Guess K just needed some time to recoup - sounds like she is ready to romp and roll again:)

    Love those bear shots - it is fascinating to learn so much about them from you.

    Hope the weekend is a happy one.

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  7. Glad K was back to normal today...Love the bear
    Benny & Lily

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  8. We're also happy to see K is rebounding. Maybe the session with the new x-rays threw her for a few days.

    The young bear is really cute as he works on his 'whammy' style. The example of the mature bear is really impressive; he looks like he's experiencing rapture.

    Jed & Abby

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  9. Maybe its K's new meds that are giving her the heebie-jeebies early in the day. Hope she can shake it off!

    The big bear on the HC500 Hyperfire looks like he is having a fine time. I am glad you are too.

    Cheers,
    Jo, Stella and Zkhat

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  10. So good to see K recooped and was out charging around again!
    Those bear photos are amazing.
    Whenever I walk in the forest- I always look for bear signs.
    love
    tweedles

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  11. A brave K and the first bear of the season . Sounds like a pretty good day .

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  12. Hi KB,

    I saw those signs in Amber where she seemed to be fearful, and it is natural to worry about K. I spent many weeks watching and worrying. I'm glad K has picked up and you are both happy.

    An amazing coincidence here...I used to affectionately call Amber my Whammy girl...I never knew there was such a thing as Whammy trees! I live and learn :-) Thanks for the link to trail cameras, again I am learning. Fascinating to see the bears behavior. Thank you.

    Love from Eileen and Annie xx

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  13. So glad to hear that K is feeling back to herself again...and you too!! The bear almost falling over is kind of funny! Love those trail cams too!!

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  14. I'm so glad that you're feeling less fearful, K!
    You have the most incredible wildlife. What a learning experience!

    Love ya lots,
    Mitch

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  15. What a happy picture of K just bursting with joy and energy. Way to go K!!

    Love the bear pictures. We don't know much about them, but their marking the tree is interesting. Gotta tell Mommy to look that one up on the internet. Then we can all learn.

    Hugs,
    Lily Belle

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  16. Wow, a great set of trail cam photos especially the daytime one from last year. I am looking forward to trail cam season too!

    Hoping for a miracle re K as we all are...

    Marilyn

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  17. Wonderful exuberant photo of K - just love it - and hearing that she's doing better from the fearful phases earlier this week...
    And the bear news and pics are amazing - can't wait to see more!
    xoxoxo
    Sammie and Avalon

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  18. I was going to say that bear season seemed early compared to other years. He looks like maybe he was partying a little too hard before he tried to mark the whammy tree! lol

    I'm so glad K is feeling better! Maybe it was the elk leg that made her feel better! ;) Nothing like a little forbidden fruit to spice up a girl's life!

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  19. HI KB, So glad K seems to be feeling better. You got snow this week? Wow, I'm thankful I'm relaxing in the sun and sand. Seeing the bears concerned me because we will be camping this July in RMNP and I realized there will probably be bear activity-I'm sorry but I feel to old to deal with such things in a tent. I'd rather have a trailer and be safe.
    Thanks for sharing, I alway love seeing the wildlife on your cameras.
    Hugs, Noreen

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  20. K looks great on the picture...wow a bear....I put out our camera today in the area where I took the pictures of the moose last week...hope we will get some pictures now...didn´t had any luck so far.

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  21. I'm so glad to see the bears! And the quality of the photographs is just fine since it shows us the behavior we want to see.

    Needless to say, it is wonderful to see K romping in her usual fashion. Have a great weekend.

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  22. Yeah, she'll have her good days and her bad days, celebrate the good ones and as hard as it is, try to keep yourself as positive as possible on the bad ones.

    Great bear photos. The bear trying to learn how to scratch on the tree reminds me of my guy trying to learn how to lift his leg. Gave me a big smile.

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  23. I am glad K is better today and that photo does say it all. Those bear pictures are really cool. Thanks for sharing.

    lovey Sasha

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  24. We're purring and praying for lots more good days for you and K!

    Those bear pictures are amazing!

    The Florida Furkids

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  25. Oh that picture of K romping is just magical! How happy she looks! The bear pictures....well that's just crazy! It must really be exciting to see the pictures your trail cameras have captured and these of the bear are truly wonderful!

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  26. Just checking in after a short break. Glad to hear K has rallied somewhat. :D

    Amazing wildlife AGAIN! I am green with envy.

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