August 25, 2007

THE VIEW FROM MY DESK

This is Oscar, the berry bear. I see him from my office window each day now as he comes to feast on a bush of ripe orange berries across the street. I know he’s there when I hear the branches crashing.

And on my runs, I’m coming across one to four bears a day in the woods now, all eating madly and not at all interested in me — apart from two very small cubs I was eager to back away from real fast before they steered mum my way.

There are so many bruins out foraging now that within the last six days nine have died. Most were killed on the small stretch of road that runs through our valley. Hit by cars. Horrible messy deaths. The others were shot for aggressive breaking and entering. 

I’m thinking their hunger-driven bear bodies know something we don’t – that we’re in for an early and cold winter. There you have it, forecast a la Loreth.

1. On August 26th, 2007 at 6:22 am
   spyscribbler Says:
   

   You know, you make me feel like a major scaredy-cat, LOL. I’m sure your life is normal to you, but it sounds like a daily adventure to me!

2. On August 26th, 2007 at 9:26 pm
   Loreth Says:
   

   I didn’t say I didnt get scared :/. I do. You should have heard my heart thumping when I backed away from mamma bear and those darn cute litte cubs kept coming for me. My blood was like a booming drum in my ears :). But that said, I’d far prefer to encounter widlife than a human predator in a dark parking garage …

3. On August 28th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
   Elaine Says:
   

   Hi Loreth,
   After months of lurking (Mary Forbes has directed me your way) I’ve decided to come out of lurkdom. First, I visit your blog nearly every day–I just love how you’ve brought your corner of the world to upstate New York But, the bears. We have them here–our neighborhood 400-pounder ambled through my yard a couple of years ago. Gotta admit: I’m terriefied of them, but at the same time, fascinated. They’re such beautiful creatures. Do you have a Plan of Action if one of these guys ever comes after you, God forbid?

4. On August 28th, 2007 at 7:21 pm
   Loreth Says:
   

   Elaine — thanks so much for visiting!!!!! I agree with you, there is something truly ‘awesome’ (in the traditional sense of the word) in seeing a big wild beast first hand.

   I’ve read a lot on bear attacks — which doesn’t help ease the anxiety, let me tell you ;), but as you know, there are different sets of circumstances and behaviours that would require different evasive or protective actions.

   Mostly, our local Whistler bears eat a vegetarian diet, and don’t tend to see humans or big mammals as prey. So if you don’t get in the way of their food source (or cubs), and as long as they’re not too habituated to humans, you’re going to be fine. And I do carry bear bangers when I go alone into the woods. I also carry a small pepper spray, but that’s more for dogs as I can’t imagine it would deter a bear.

   Going a little further afield into the wilds, however, the bears can behave differently, and I’d be much more leery. It’s the black bears you don’t see that worry me … the one’s hunting you. Seems they can be more predatory than grizzlies. This is when you *don’t* want to play dead!!

   Do you guys have a plan of action? Do you see many in your area?

5. On August 29th, 2007 at 1:10 pm
   Elaine Says:
   

   You are so brave not to let *life* keep you down–a lesson to be learned here. I’ve heard your black bears are sometimes more challenging than the grizzlies, so difficult for this former Brooklyn-born gal to grasp. My plan of action: to try not to walk alone at certain times of the day during spring & summer (don’t laugh). Actually, at the foothills of the Berkshires (Massachusetts) we do have quite a few black bears, but unless they’re protecting their young it’s usually not a problem. However, there was an awful tragedy in the Catskills a couple years back when a very hungry bear went after & did kill a baby at a campsite. Man vs. beast… and it’s getting only more difficult with more of us infringing upon their territory. On a lighter note: it’s amazing how often I’ve trekked through the woods without the blink of an eye as a kid

6. On August 29th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
   Loreth Says:
   

   I’m not brave — put me in the middle of Brooklyn and see what happens

   Sad story about the baby, Elaine.

   And yes, the mind of a child can be so free. But I suppose it’s all relative, and kiddie pressures can also be huge.

   I hope you keep stopping by ….

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