Hunk O' Steamin' Bear

I wish I had more time for an in-depth post.

For now, the best I can do is show you a few video clips that my students working on the wolf project captured of curious upper Midwestern Black Bears (Ursus americanus).

Obviously, these critters weren't moving around too much in the winter during their first round of camera trapping on this project.

But, much to our satisfaction, they are showing up now....

....and about two days later....

We also got a clip of (what appears to be) a pretty massive individual.

For comparison, here's a White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on the same camera at, what I *think* is, about the same distance.....

Followed by the steaming hulk....

Most of my projects don't occur in bear country, so these clips were a real treat.

Lots more to share when I get a sec.

For now I'll leave you with a few images of future naturalists helping me check turtle traps over the weekend.