I had the bear back again last night on my deck.  These pictures are the actual thing... there was no zooming in on them or anything like that... they are just on the other side of the window pane. There were two different bears this time.  One of them was a little smaller and had a big white patch on it's chest.  These aren't the best of pictures for clarity... but I wasn't about to open the window or door to take them.  I just held the camera up to the glass and started clicking.  These are the only pictures out of about 40 that turned out at all.






Tonight all the bird feeders are coming down.  I don't want anything out there to encourage the bear to keep on coming back up on my deck.  The birds will have to fend for themselves for awhile.  There are plenty of plant buds and insects out now .  The birds will be okay.  They won't starve.  I will go back to feeding them in the winter months when the bear are hibernating and I don't have to worry about them breaking my feeders and eating all the birdseed out of them. 

I mean those bears are the scariest things. I can't imagine having them right on my porch. Yes, take down all food stuffs. Will they come around to get food from your garden, eek

Moni... bears are just a fact of life up here in my neck of the woods. They are around all the time. You just have to respect them and give them their distance. You have to put away food sources, such as the bird feeders, watch what you do with your garbage, and you're okay. The biggest threat is when the sows have their cubs. Then you really need to give them their space. You do not want to come between Momma Bear and her cubs. She can be very aggressive in a situation like that. As for bear raiding the gardens... they really aren't a problem. The deer, rabbits and raccoons are more of a pest in the garden than the bear. The major problem with the bear around here are the people who don't respect them. They feed them and encourage them to come closer to civilization.

Melody this is scary business dealing with the bears. I can't imagine what mixed feelings from awe to fear that this must give you. I think your making a wise choice by cutting off their snack source.
I definitely agree with you that this is a little too close for comfort...

I pray you and your family will be extra careful until the bears find something else to occupy their time again away from you all.

Wishing you a safe and bear free week!