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Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Bearproof means....

We have a bearproof garbage can. I've had trail camera pointed at it since June, thinking that I'd get a census of the local bears who would all sniff it. Believe it or not, I captured NO photos of any animals near it until the other night (4 months after posting the camera). I'm fairly certain that the bag next to the garbage can attracted the wildlife. It contained a very old dog bed (~15 years old) that doubtless emanated canine scents very strongly.

The first visitor was our friend the bobcat. He appears to have walked toward the bed with great purpose.
Then, a coyote looked toward the bed with interest.
Either the same coyote returned... or another one came through.
Then, Tiny the Black Bear showed up. He walked toward the garbage can.
And, in the next photo, he was hard at work trying to open the bear-proof garbage can. He was unsuccessful. It is *truly* bear-proof.
After giving up on the garbage can, Tiny walked 100 yards to the other side of our house, and he tried to break our bearproof bird feeding station. Birdfeeders are hanging about 6' over his head.
Tiny is looking good this year. He's very fat and ready for hibernation. If he follows last year's schedule, he'll keep wandering around our area for at least another month before he disappears into a den. I wonder where he goes for the rest of the year. I see him around here only in autumn.
He gave up on the birdfeeders and walked dejectedly away.
The next morning, Shyla and I were out at sunrise. She was intensely interested in Tiny's scent. After we had walked far enough away from Tiny's scent, we worked on some recalls in the sunrise light.
 Life in the forest is always interesting!

26 comments:

  1. Khyra is so jealous of all those friends!

    Thanks for sharing their 'fun' with us!

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  2. Great wildlife photographs! Life in the forest is indeed interesting. Shyla looks so great. I've enjoyed your posts about her and I'm so happy you have her to accompany you.

    Sorry your state is bombarded with politics! We start early voting tomorrow so perhaps they will slack up on us a little. I've almost maxed out the phone numbers I can block.

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  3. Too bad Tiny couldn't have taken the old dog bed to his den! Hibernation in comfort!!

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  4. I just love the photo of Tiny sitting with the garbage can. For some reason MOM laughed at that one. I have never seen a bear in the furs. But a while back, before my time, MOM and her heart dog Pete can across one while backpacking. They kept their distance, but it was still close. That Pete was a real good dog, the best, he just sat with MOM and did not make a sound, just kept watching and MOM says making sure the she was OK. Not sure what I would do if MOM and I came across one.
    And you know what? I think Shyla has very expressive ears. It is always the first thing I notice about her.
    Blessings,
    Goose

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  5. Oh She is beautiful. Look at her coat, it has become so healthy looking in the last month or so.

    Watch for an email from My Vickie, she wants to ask you something.

    Bert

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  6. We are so laughing with Goose's Mom - that would be a pic we would expect to see as a cartoon.

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  7. Your parade of night visitors is filled with interesting characters.

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  8. I LOVE YOUR BLOG. Tiny is hilarious, and you always have the best pictures....I'm on the quest for a new camera(s), sick of the brand I'm using!

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  9. How cool (and a bit nerve wracking!) to see that!
    Nola

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  10. That is something that after all this time, you get three different visitors in the same night! Boy, the animal life is so interesting around your place. I think I would enthralled but scared. How great that you capture such wonderful events of nature! I love the picture of Shyla in the sun. It's amazing how different her color can look depending on the light. Today's pic has her looking glowing red where as yesterday she looked chocolate! :)

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  11. I think when you least expect it- you will find where Tiny sleeps and has sweet dreams!
    love
    tweedles

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  12. KB, I passed on your blog to a gentleman who stayed here last night, and said he might have to scroll down to an older post, he wanted to look at the bobcat photos.He will be thrilled, as I am, great visits overnight.Tiny look huge to me. Cheers from Jean

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  13. you got some yummy trash. It must be smelling tasty, BOL
    Benny & Lily

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  14. You must have had a good giggle over Tiny's antics! You have to give him credit for trying. lol Shyla is gorgeous in the sunshine, too!

    And yes, they do make the breakaway collars! :)

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  15. WOW! is it ever interesting!!! "Tiny" is huge, and the bobcat looks like he could do some serious bodily harm as well. Do you not feel a bit anxious with all those hungry carnivores nearby?

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  16. You have the most interesting visitors. I was waiting for one of them to drag off the old dog bed lol. Shyla is so beautiful in the sunlight.

    Anne and Sasha

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  17. Tiny the bear makes your garbage can look tiny!

    Love ya lots,
    Mitch and Molly

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  18. There is something so funny about seeing a bear sitting down trying to get into a trashcan. It reminds of Winnie the Pooh with a honey jar!! Rolly polly fannies and stuff. I think it's a crying shame that poor bear walked away with nothing... ;-)

    The Bobcat cracked me up too. Usually cats are a little more slinky but he looked pretty enthused!!

    Mamma Heartbeat

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  19. Good to know about the can!! Thanks for posting such interesting and informative snaps ":)

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  20. Wow! I think having bears near the house would scare me!

    Sam

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  21. Poor bear, you invite him in and then don't let him eat anything. LOL

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  22. We just LOVE the pictures of Tiny! Him sitting on the ground with your pail is great! We too are laughing over it. Guess you don't make any late night garbage runs to the trash. No sneaking out that ice cream container...

    Hugs,
    Lily Belle & Muffin
    p.s. Thanks for the training info!

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  23. Wow, what a visit you had!!! Great pictures you show from them. Shyla looks nice on the last.

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  24. Hi Y'all!

    Shyla your coat is gorgeous!

    BOL, that bear looks so funny trying to get into the trashcan!

    Y'all come back now,
    Hawk aka BrownDog

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  25. "Romping & Rolling in the Rockies" has been included in the Sites To See for this week. I hope this helps to point many new visitors in your direction.

    http://asthecrackerheadcrumbles.blogspot.com/2012/10/sites-to-see_19.html

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  26. What a mix of visitors your g-can attracted! I just luv your trail cameras :) Tiny isn't so tiny eh? Too funny. He sure tried hard to get at the garbage and the birds' food! Great photos! Shyla's looking great!

    Waggin at ya,
    Roo

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