Matthew got a new four-wheeler, and very kindly lets Tom use his old one. Every day Tom and Lucy go for a 'wheeler ride,' giving terrific exercise to our energetic Labrador. They stop up at an opening in the woods where Tom has set up a couple old chairs. Lucy prowls around and swims in any water holes she can find. Yesterday Tom saw this. Lucy's print on the left, and a black bear print on the right. It was just lucky that she happened to step there so you can see the comparison.
I remember when my previous Chocolate Lab, Mishka, was young. I took him for LONG walks. It didn't even phase him. ha... They have so much energy. It is good to have a 4-wheeler to run Lucy. I am sure she appreciates it. Wow, I had forgotten you have bears around. That is a scary thought to me even while I think it would be fascinating to have one around. Love the daylily on your header. It is such a rich color.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen the bear(s) this year, but the neighbors have. I would be nervous walking Lucy up the road, but I figure the bears, coyotes, etc. will be scared away by the sound of the motor. We also have, nearer the house, a sweet rabbit and a dear groundhog, along with a cute little chipmunk. That is the darkest daylily I have and it makes a nice contrast to the yellow ones next to it.
DeleteI'd be spooked and fascinated at the same time if I ever came across a bear's foot print! Brown bears used to roam central Europe when it was still mostly covered in forest, but nowadays there aren't any living in the wild in this area. And when they do appar - not where I live, but there have been rare sightings around the borders between Bavaria and Austria - a big media hype ensues. Sadly, it mostly ends with the bear getting shot because he "could" be dangerous to people.
ReplyDeleteBears are quite bold around here. They are even in town, raiding trash containers. They even go up on decks or porches if there is food. The Fish and Game Department in the state suggests that people take their bird feeders down in April because bears love the seeds. And they will get into people's honeybee hives. Usually if caught they are released into the wild. We are pretty much covered with woods up here.
DeleteGreat photo! The contrast is superb. Here in Florida the black bears are especially peaceful and it's always a treat to see them or their tracks. I love knowing the bears are still living wild here - such magnificent creatures!
ReplyDeleteProbably mellow from all that heat! I wonder if they hibernate in warm climates.
DeleteVery kind of Lucy to step just there, so we could compare the size of the footprints. Your dog is a genius! Bet you knew that already. :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, it was! Pretty amazing.
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