I hadn't been down that trail since last fall. It's very near where I spotted that black bear running toward me last fall, right in the middle of the street. However, I felt relatively safe sauntering down that trail, because I knew that a mother bear and her THREE cubs, who had been spotted there this spring, had been captured. Unfortunately, the mother was euthanized, and two of the three cubs sent to a rescue centre. The poor, third little fella, evaded capture. I wouldn't think his chances of survival would be great. So I thought the coast was clear.
We were almost ready to turn around, when I heard some loud rumbling in the bushes next to the water treatment's large pond. I called Vimy to me, but he quickly ran ahead, trying to find the source of the noise. I looked back, and basically, what you see in this stock photo, is pretty much what I saw... STARING back at me. My hand instinctively went to my pocket, for my phone, to take a picture, but wouldn't you know it, I had left it at home. Dumb!
I snapped Vimy's leash back on, and we quickly kept on walking. When I looked back, it was just in time to see the little one scamper across the path, and bound into the woods. Suddenly, I didn't feel like going any further. "Better to head home, " I said to myself. Where there is a baby bear, there is usually a MOMMA bear. Never mind if you think she has moved on to meet her maker.
As soon as I got home, I called the Department of Natural Resources, to advise them of my bear spotting. I asked if this cub I had seen, was possibly the "THIRD" cub, the one who had evaded captured? NOT A CHANCE!! DNR did capture all three cub. YIKES!!! So this cub DOES have a Momma. The ranger told me that the mother sends her cub(s) off to play on their own sometimes.
W...E...L...L... I won't be going back on the trail again, any time s*o*o*n. It's THEIR playground, NOT mine. That cub (or cubs) can romp his little heart out there, with or without Momma in plain sight.
Remember - things come in threes. This was my second close encounter with a bear. I will N-O-T tempt fate.
Yes, we have to be on the lookout around Squire Green. They like to hang around that area. I won't go up the hill on my own anymore.
ReplyDeleteMost people do not realize that we are moving into wildlife areas more and more. I know that you do realize this Lovely Lady and thank you for accepting the fact that they need their space as well as we need ours. They were here first. Please be careful during your hikes.
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