The black bear that I like to call “Picnic,” because she is often at the Yellowstone Picnic area, came out last year with two cute little cinnamon colored cubs and they were the hit of the show.
Every day people were lined up to photograph these bears and it was very difficult to get in there to get some good shots and so I mostly drove on by and waved to them. Some times it is just best to let the other visitors enjoy the show, without trying to insert my big lens into the mix. But, I ended up seeing so many cute photos of these cubs and some times regretted not making more of an effort to capture them.
Well, before long these tiny little yearlings will be on their own, making their way in the world. And, I worried that I might not capture them before the family split and mom went to visit her boyfriend(s).
Well, early this morning the family was near Rainy Lake, out in the open for a change, and so I stopped to photograph them. They wandered and ate and at one point came up very close to the crowd that was standing there. I was in my car, watching this, unable to shoot because of the angle – though I did try adjusting my car, which put it over the line and got me into a little trouble later, nothing major – and was noticing how the bears kept looking up at the crowd. I wondered what they must think, having people following they everywhere.
It occurred to me that we must be terribly bothersome to a family that is just trying to eat and survive. And, truthfully, I have no clue about what to do with this growing awareness that we really aren’t allowing the wildlife to live wild. I understand the idea that people need to see the animals and learn about them, but maybe not the one of staying with them hour after hour. It is just me that I am judging, wondering what my comfort level is.
But, the cubs sure were cute and outside of looking at us every once in awhile, they seemed to be eating and doing what they needed to, to survive. Perhaps I am projecting my own lack of comfort in being watched, onto the bears?
After the ranger came and made everyone move away from the bears, and told those of us who were parked improperly to move, I went on to Lamar.
Feeling terribly uneasy about the Lamars and their pups but then that is nothing new. Rick said that he had strong signals on 926 but never saw her this morning. Maybe she was around this afternoon.
Did not see the moose at the Confluence today.
We had many hard rain storms and I went and slept near Calcite, figuring a bear would come out sooner or later. It was a great nap and when I awoke there was a bear. Didn’t see any cubs and that was about the time the next hard rain came along. And, so I left and made my way home.
Did hear that Quad Mom was still out at Swan Lake Flat, there was a fox near the Yellowstone bridge and a black bear with two cubs did come out. Oh, and it snowed up high and the park closed Dunraven Pass. Electric Peak has a beautiful layer of snow covering it tonight.
Until tomorrow.
