About 10 minutes after that photo, I gathered my things and headed for the trail down.
As I walked along the ridge I decided to peruse the end of the out cropping of granite that
extended past the break in the tree line for the trail.
As I walked over, I was startled when I came face to face with a smallish black bear that
was making his/her way up the far side of the of the rock.
It was probably a yearling. The size of a large dog. He/she was startled and turned tail and
ran back to the woods. I retreated back to the trail and kept an eye on my 6. Making sure
it wasn't still hanging around with Mom.
That is the first time I have come in contact with any wild life on my adventures. There are signs
of deer and moose but nothing else. Quite the interesting morning start to the day for sure.
My phone was in my pocket and the encounter lasted a few seconds so no chance to get photos to share.
I have to wonder it the bear would have walked up on me as I was sitting enjoying the morning sun.
That would have been interesting.
Stop back later if you like
It's Friday , don't ya know.
Sláinte
Irish
Brother, are you carrying?
ReplyDeleteWell that was interesting. Too bad I wasn’t there to see that myself.
ReplyDeleteWhy you never hike alone but have a companion you can outrun!
ReplyDelete.44 magnum ball ammo or larger
ReplyDeleteClose call. Black bears injure and kill more humans than any other bears, so I have heard.
ReplyDeleteOnce, hiking in Shenandoah National Park I was on a ridge that sloped off steeply on both sides and that ended with a long slope just a few yards in front of me. Then, I heard something coming down the ridge behind me through the bush. Now, the Appalachians are mostly old limestone and were as high as the Rockies, I've been told. The ridge was a jumble of broken boulders and rocks covered in mountain laurel. Depending on what was coming my way, I might have to didi down the slope, none too fun as the scree and rock shifts and a broken limb would not be good. I'd seen plenty of bear sign and the occasional bear in the park often.
As it got closer, I turned to face it down. Suddenly a head broke through the dense brush! That deer looked at me, likely wondering what an idiot human was doing in his woods? His 2 companions told him, I think, that they should leave so as to not get mussed by a stinkin' human. Off they went, very calmly, the way they came. So, there ya go, gotta keep yer eyes open!
Did you have to change your shorts? ;-)) - Nemo
ReplyDeleteI have at least 2 full grown black bear on the property (one on each side of the holler), so we never leave the house into the woods without sidearms or the dogs, usually both. Once we get the orchard and gardens in, I imagine it will include simply walking out the door. That said, I hope I never have to shoot one on account of startling it. -Brewer96
ReplyDelete