Black Bear, Black Bear, What Do You Here?

Last weekend, we had a surprise visitor -- a young black bear.  It was quite taken with our birdfeeders and their ready supply of sunflower seeds.  While it was skittish at first and ran when a car went by, it quickly decided there was no threat and settled in to gorge itself at our bird feeder.  It was a beautiful animal, with a thick, lustrous coat.

We allowed it to feed for about an hour, while we enjoyed some prime wildlife watching, then Don went out in the yard with Cadi the Wonder Lab, who chased it into the woods. 

Returning to the scene after being startled by a passing car

It was able to lick seeds out of the tube with its tongue -- impressive.

Obviously feeling pretty comfortable

Not the neatest guest

It returned Sunday morning and seemed to appreciate the bar that Don had constructed in an attempt to still feed the birds and save the feeder.  At this point, we decided the birds could survive on their own since spring was here and cut off the sunflower supply.  The bear checked once more Monday morning, and, finding nothing tasty, quickly moved on.  We haven't seen it since.

Bellied up to the bar

Sophie did not like what she saw out the window (look at that tail!).

Cadi kept a disapproving eye on the scoundrel.

We learned from a neighbor that there was a tagged mama bear with two cubs that came through the area regularly last summer, and she has little fear of people.  We're guessing this is one of the cubs, now out on its own.  We're happy to share the woods with them but will be vigilant to make sure we coexist peaceably.