Mama Bear

So yesterday I was talking to a neighbor about bears.  Yes, we have started to see them around the valley and she was curious about them (and new to the area).  I was telling a story from 4 years ago about bears in the tree outside our window and how living in nature is better than any show on Animal Planet or Discovery Channel.  Well today was the repeat episode at our house, though starring a different family of bears.

We were sitting at the breakfast table when Ron caught movement out of the corner of us eye.  “Look at the bears!”  We all ran to the window and watched as a mama and two cubs waddled up our property.   We were admiring them when the neighborhood dogs got wind of them and started with their barking.   Using her motherly instincts, mama sent the two cubs up our tree, about 20 feet from the house. 

Cubs up the tree, see our roof line.

 It was so fun to watch them climb up with such dexterity.  Mama stayed at the bottom on guard for a bit and eventually climbed up herself.  The cubs looked like they were having fun, climbing up quite high and out on the limbs.  The barking continued for almost an hour with a few visits back and forth from the doors, one in particular.   Eventually it seemed like mama tired of the barking and took a nap on one of the lower limbs so the cubs could not come down. 

Mama on Guard

Mama climbing

We snapped a few photos from inside and then Ron went out and took a few more right at the base of the tree.  He thought the bears should see who lives in this big den (house) right next to their tree.  They stayed up the tree for almost 5 hours.  What an eventful way to start the day.  We really do live in the mountains and with nature. 

Darker colored cub resting

Lighter colored cub: peek a boo