Tuesday, June 4, 2019

A Visit From Mama Bear & Her Cubs

I woke this morning to a strange sound....an odd scraping sound. 

I wasn't sure if it was just a lingering dream....or perhaps the horses next door? They often make weird sounds. 

I hopped out of bed, donned my bathrobe and slippers, and went to the front of the house....where I spotted Mama bear and two cubs on my deck, right outside my dining room window. 

ON MY DECK!


You can see where she yanked down the feeder pole off the deck railing, and spilled the seed all over the deck. Other than a few flowerpots knocked over, she did no other damage....a very considerate bear, indeed!

Bears in our area are common, and I've certainly had bears on my deck in the past....but never a mama and her cubs. 

Normally when I have a bear around the house, I just make some loud noises to scare it away. 

I have packs of firecrackers in the kitchen drawer, and bear spray (aka an air horn) by the kitchen door.  I've also used a large spoon and a pot....I repeatedly bang the bottom of the pot like a drum, and it works like a charm.

But a mama bear is different....she will react aggressively if she thinks I'm a threat to her cubs. 

 
I banged on the bottom of the right side window, shouting at Mama bear. Then I opened the top of the window, and yelled again.

She gave me a low warning growl. And then I saw the babies.

I shut the window immediately, shaking like a leaf!! 


I watched Mama bear climb over the gate at the top of the tall staircase and head down into the garden. I waited a few minutes, then snuck out the door to rescue the feeder she had dropped on the deck, when it appeared the coast was clear. 

When I glanced over the deck railing (shaking all the while!) Mama bear was right underneath, by the Hydrangea bed, pacing back and forth. 

She was not one bit happy with me!

I ran inside, shut and locked the door, and sent a text to Sweetie, asking if he was up yet. He was...and I hopped on the phone with him, telling him what was going on. 

He reminded me about the bear spray...I had put it away when the bears were hibernating, and had to remember where I put it! 

I found the bear spray, and opened the top window again to give one quick blast of the air horn. 

After a few minutes I went back out to the deck, and couldn't see any sign of Mama or the babies. I guess that did the trick. 

Whew, that was a nerve-wracking way to wake up, I'll tell you that much! 

Via
Mama bears are always going to be protective over their cubs....can you blame them?  Anything you read about bear encounters warns to never, ever get in between a mama and her cubs. 

If you see a cub on its own, you better scram lickity-split, because mama bear is not far off!

You are never supposed to run from a bear, but rather back calmly away and give them space to take their leave.  While backing away, tell them to go away in a loud, firm, calm voice, and they will usually make their exit. 

Via
When bears are making a regular appearance around my house, I will often walk out my kitchen door saying firmly and loudly "Go Away, Bear!" 

It seems to do the trick. 

Via
Bears really don't want to be around people any more than people want to be around bears. If you go about your business outdoors making noise to let them be aware of your presence, they will usually stay away. 

However, when the house is quiet and all are sleeping, that's when they will return....if there's anything to draw them in. 

My garbage is firmly locked up in my garage, in metal bins. The birdseed is also in metal bins in the garage. 

Obviously, my birdfeeders were what drew them in, as I knew they would eventually. Sadly, that means the feeders are now tucked away in the garage until the snow flies and the bears hibernate once more. 

I hate taking away the birds' food source, but I can't take the chance of mama and her babies continuing to visit my house. If I remove the food supply, they will take my house off their route. 

Thankfully, there are plenty of bugs around now for the birds to eat, and when the winter comes I shall resume feeding.....that's when they need our help most of all. 


I had to bring the babies out on their leashes this morning, once the coast was clear. There was no way I could let them run around loose like they usually do, they would have tracked the scent of the bears and ran after them. 

Monkey thinks she's a giant monster, and has no fear. 

Doesn't she look ever so intimidating? 

Her hair was standing up like mad when I brought her out, and she ran around growling and barking. 

Yet, nobody barked when the bears were on the deck....go figure! 


And what exactly do you think this tiny little furball would do if she encountered a bear? I can't take the chance of her running after one of the cubs....and mama taking a swing at her in defense of her young.

Terrifying. She's just a little bitty thing, a tiny sweet ball of fluff.

So, the feeders are in for the season, and we will need to be extremely cautious until we're off the radar once more. 

That's life on the mountain top....and I wouldn't trade it for anything!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile, today I remember my dad with much love....he passed away one year ago. 


I love you always, Papa, and miss you every day. 

Be at peace.

xoxo

43 comments:

  1. We have bears here too. When we first moved into this new house in the month of October, I waited until December to put out the feeder. Christmas eve night a bear came and destroyed my feeder. It does not get cold enough here in NC for them to hibernate anymore. So sadly I have no feeders.

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    1. That is sad, Penny. I hate when I have to stop feeding the birds - it's really one of my daily joys, and Molly loves 'helping' me feed them every morning - she gets so excited when I tell her it's time to feed the birdies!

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  2. We have bears as well, black bears like yours. They do hibernate in NC, just not for as long as farther north. I've had a mama and cubs on my veranda too. Same as you, made some noise by banging on the windows and she led them away. Our bird feeder is on a pole 10 feet in the air, and they cannot get to it. They come by and try from time to time, but give up pretty quickly and move on. DH has to get the big ladder out to refill it.

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    1. Wow, 10 feet in the air....that's an idea!! Of course I'm not good on ladders so maybe I'll have to skip that one, Carole!

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  3. Wow... right up there on that deck!!... that's amazing. We have bears here too, perhaps not as frequent as your area though. I'm thinking of stopping the bird feed for the summer, too.

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    1. I hate doing it, Karen Ann, I had to stop last year too. The bears were coming to my house while I was at work....not cool!!

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  4. I would be freaking out to see bears around our home. We have deer coming in the back yard sometimes, but they take a look at us and run. Glad you are safe.

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    1. The deer have been coming around a lot more lately, Betty - I suspect I may have a mama with a fawn in the woods, as I've had before. I hope they don't eat my gardens!!

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  5. Oh wow...such a wake up call!! I would have been pretty scared! Life in the mountains!
    I know your garden memorial to your Papa gives you comfort...xoxo

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    1. It does, Linda...and yesterday my mom and daughter came up for dinner and we had a sleepover. I didn't want Mom to be alone, and it was good for us all to be together, drinking wine and laughing about old times.

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  6. MERCY!!!! right up on your deck????!!! oh my gosh scary indeed. How THRILLING to see a mommy and her babies, yet so SCARY that they are that close, right up in your door! Wow, that is one INTENSE way to wake up! ha ha LOL Also....thinking of you on the anniversary of your Dad's passing. The first year is so difficult, isn't it?---I am in it with my Mom's recent passing. I miss her every day....

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    1. The first year is definitely the most difficult, Debbi - my mom's having a tough time, but she's better this summer than last. Every time I get really sad about him being gone I remember how terribly he was struggling to breathe that last year, and that he had no life. Now he's at peace, and that's a comfort.

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  7. Girl, I would have been terrified also! I do know they get into everything when they are looking for food. The closest encounter I've ever had was in TN...once I saw them, I took off in the other direction! I'm mean, but I'm no match for a bear! :-) Love and hugs sweet friend!

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    1. Ha ha, I bet you don't have a mean bone in your body, sweet Benita!! :)

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  8. Debbie it's starting when that happens. Being on your deck is a little too close for comfort.

    The birdfeeders do it every time. It's a shame but I know the birds have things to eat.

    Enjoy your evening

    Cindy

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    1. I'm glad I saw the bears before I let the dogs out....usually I head straight down to let them out first thing, but because of that scraping noise I checked the bird feeders first to see if they had been damaged....good thing I did!!

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  9. Thinking of you on this sad anniversary, Debbie and sending hugs. I'm sending an extra one for your brave bear encounter! You are one tough lady...I would've been freaking out. We get the occasional raccoon at the back door and that leaves me in a sweat. I can't imagine what I'd do when faced with a bear. Yikes! Be safe!!

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    1. Thank you, my sweet friend.

      I know the bears have made their way to NJ but hopefully they will stay away from Long Island, Kim! I admit, I feel a lot better about seeing a bear when my sweetie is with me....there's safety in numbers and all that jazz, you know!

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  10. OMG - what a story! On your deck????? I think I'd faint! Good for you for keeping a cool head. We don't have bears around here as a rule (although once in a blue moon, there are reports of them); so, not being familiar, I'm terrified at the thought of encountering a bear! I had to laugh, because today, we decided not to fill our bird feeders for awhile, because every chipmunk in the neighborhood seems to be feasting on seed that falls to the ground. They are everywhere! Quite different from a bear, though!

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    1. The chipmunks and squirrels are insane here too, Amy....digging in my pots, destroying my plants...but at least they aren't scary! I wouldn't want one in the house, though! The turkeys have been around a lot, too...I guess that will stop also now that I'm not feeding the birds. Poor little birds! Hopefully they will still visit to use the birdbaths!

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  11. Wow that Mama Bear was brave to bring her cubs up that close to the house. No fear I guess. I am glad you did not go out with the pups to find her under the deck with her cubs before you could see her. That would have been awful. Hopefully now that the bird seed is not there she will not come back. How scary. Glad that worked out ok for you.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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    1. I agree, Kris, I'm so glad I saw her before I let the babies out for their morning tinkle! That would have been awful, I'm so grateful my babies are ok.

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  12. What a way to start the day. I cannot even imagine! I thought of the doggies right away! I actually worry about hawks taking them away, especially little Molly. We live in a development in Central PA and have hawks. I always had my little 5-pound Chihuahua on a leash right beside me (sadly I had to say goodbye to her almost 10 months ago at only 11. I’m still heartbroken. Molly reminds me so of her as she is the same color so I’m always wondering about your Miss Molly :)). Also, special thoughts of you as you remember your Dad.

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    1. I worry about so many things with Molly, Susan - she's such an innocent, sweet little angel, she wouldn't think twice about chasing after some creature! I'm so sorry for your loss - it's never easy to say goodbye to our sweet furry babies.....or our dads. Thank you for your thoughts xo

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  13. Doesn't seem like it's been a whole year. Time sure flies. I can't put bird seed out because of the restaurants around me with their trash bins. It brings rats in and they don't seem to bother my patio unless I put out bird seed. I've learned to buy plants, etc., that have berries the birds can eat so I don't feel guilty.
    Brenda

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    1. Have you ever put out a hummingbird feeder, Brenda? I bet you would really enjoy watching them flock to the feeder!

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  14. Debbie!!! I think I jinxed you with bear comment in my last post!! Lol!!. (Anonymous from MS) No, seriously, so glad that you heard and saw her before you took off outside with the dogs. See, if that were me, I would probably give up gardening for the rest of the summer---too scared that I would turn a corner and there she would be. It just amazes me to hear of such encounters. My parents had a farm about 30 minutes from my house that I kept when they passed as a second house. No internet, cable or anything---love to go there to recharge. Always looking for wildlife. We have turkeys, raccoons, deer, hawks, etc., and the occasion coyote and bobcat. But no bears. Be careful!!! Also, I empathize on the passing of your dad. Both my parents are gone. One of the reasons I kept the farm---just couldn't let it go---too many great memories. I am the 4th generation on that property.

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    1. How lovely to have that farm to escape to, Rhonda, and to be surrounded by memories!! I have so many good memories from my childhood, I was blessed to have such wonderful parents! As for the bear....why did you jinx me like that? ha ha ha ha!! It was bound to happen, there isn't a summer that goes by that we don't have bears visiting us....it's just part of life on the mountain top. Right now they are setting up a huge music festival on the mountain, and that sends the bears down into town and the surrounding roads every single year!

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  15. Let's hope mama has moved on with her babies. I think I would be keeping that air horn with me for awhile when I went outside. xo Laura

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    1. It's now back in its summer spot right by the kitchen door, Laura!

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  16. OMG, Debbie - how scary! We don't have bears here in northern IL. Just groundhogs, chipmunks, squirrels, and a ton of mosquitoes. lol I'd be so paranoid of my dogs being outside. I hope you keep them on a leash this whole season now!

    I know anniversary dates are so hard. And I know you miss your dad. My heart goes out to you. xoxo

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    1. Thank you, Melanie - it's been an emotional week.

      Thankfully, my Monkey is pretty loud when she wants to go out, and her loud barking has treed a bear in the past - I guess they didn't realize how small she is!! Hopefully her loud barking will keep the bears away....it's always nerve wracking when they start coming around!

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  17. Yikes, better safe than sorry! Very smart to put up the birdfeeders. The birds will be fine with all the plants and surrounding gardens. Thinking of you in this first year of your dad's passing. Yesterday was 34 years for my dad leaving this world at a much too young 67. Hugs.

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    1. Wow, Rita, 34 years....it seems such a long time, but I'm sure you still miss him every day!

      Yes, hopefully the birds will be fine, I know they will actually...but I do miss our little routines of putting out food and peanuts in the mornings....Molly loves that routine, and she gets a peanut every morning!

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  18. I couldn't handle this very well at all. I would be shaking like a leaf too. I am thinking with my grand girls around - bear gun. Sorry but it's them or us. I am going to be a mama bear when it comes to these kids.

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    1. I haven't seen any sight of them since, Betsy - hopefully Mama has moved on with her babies. We had a big music festival on the mountain this weekend, and ever year the bears show up in my garden at that time - I think they get displaced from their homes with all the building and noise.

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  19. Debbie, That seems scary to me. The worse things I have seen around here coyotes and skunks. Please be safe. Yea, what's up with dogs not barking when you need them too. LOL Sending you hugs, cause I know you miss your dad honey. Blessngs, xoxo, Susie

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    1. Thank you, sweet Susie - Father's Day was a rough one, we missed him terribly.

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  20. Can you believe I have never seen a live bear except in the zoo? Rumor has it that one has been spotted in my town. I'm not to anxious to see it.
    Lisa

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    1. Really, wow, well I'm really not that surprised. The more the bears get displaced from their territory, the more they show up in suburban backyards!! New Jersey gets plenty of bears, and they aren't in the mountains!

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  21. I love your photos, but this is way too close for my comfort. Be careful! Also, check your email, you have a message from me. :-)

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    1. Too close for my comfort also, Pattie!! Thanks for the email, I can't believe you remembered!!

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  22. How ya doing, Debbie?--you haven't posted in a long time!? Hope all is well up there on the pretty mountain!

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