Saturday 10 September 2016

Æthelred Bear of Lanark County, et al

Sadly,  there have been a few recent incidents with bears in Canada. Some residents do not understand that they share the land. We've continued to have sightings of our bear. He knows how to live with humans. He does avoid us. We only put our garbage out on the morning of collection day. The BBQ is high up on the deck. While we are in a drought, we seem to have berries in the forest.

Searching for a name, as surely he has earned one, Yam suggested Æthelred. We'll see how it sits. Lacking name tags, I think it is the same male we've seen. I saw him in the morning, from the front deck a couple of years ago. Then, he's appeared on the trailcam several times.

This most recent video is a compilation of trailcam 30-second shots. First, a porcupine, then Daisy, a raccoon (Butch), and finally, our bear. If you check the time stamp, he ambled along at 12:40, looking for lunch. We have had a fair amount of fruit, berries, and bugs, despite the drought! The wetland had enough water for the spring.
I think he knocked the composter over twice. I have given up on that.

 Trailcam critters Sept. from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.


Æthelred of Wessex - Wikipedia



Æthelred I was King of Wessex from 865 to 871. He was the fourth son of King Æthelwulf of Wessex. He succeeded his brother, Æthelberht (Ethelbert), as King. Æthelred I (Old EnglishÆþelræd, sometimes rendered as Ethelred, "noble counsel"; c. 847[1] – 871) was King of Wessex from 865 to 871. 

Thought to be an underking for a few years, this name works, since we know Momma bear across the highway has had triplets and she is the queen.

I encountered him first when owl hunting.

Bear went over the mountain from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.
So, says Bob of Gilligalou, go out at dusk and listen for the Barred owl chicks. I heard one chick screaming for food. I heard something else in the forest. Quietly, I prayed it was a deer. I watched, with baited breath. When he began to smell me, and look for me, then cross the wetland, I backed up and startled him. He ran like stink, thankfully!

We've had irregularly regular sightings: three years ago: Backyard bear! Clearly a young male!
One year ago:
Bear in the meadow from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.
2015 My trailcam was set up down the hill, in the meadow. There has been some action! Bear seemed to go in circles!

These is the most recent sighting in the back yard. This was in May 29th. After I took my photos, I yelled at him and he ambled off past the Bear Crossing sign!
Info about bears: Wise About Bears.


Week #143

Mother bear killed, 2 cubs captured after entering northern Ontario restaurant

OPP called to Station Two in Terrace Bay, Ont., shortly after noon when bears entered back room

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8 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Hello, great series of photos of the black bears. It is sad to hear some are being killed. People and bears do not seem to get along lately. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend!

Nancy J said...

What a great variety of animals cross the trailcam lens, Daisy, I wonder if she smells their tracks first? Lovely bear, hope he stays well.

carol l mckenna said...

Wonderful post and videos of the Black Bear ~ do wish people would learn to live with each other and the beautiful nature critters ~

Happy Creating ~ ^_^

Phil Slade said...

Hi Jennifer. A very abssorbing post with some great vido captures and noteworthy links too.

Of course we don't have to worry about bears. Am I right in saying that the bears are becoming less afraid of humans? Or is it that there are simply huge numbers of them ? Or a shortage of food? Perhaps a combination of many things?

William Kendall said...

They really are magnificent animals. If we as humans understand how to behave and live around them, they're not going to be a problem. This one around your place reacts in the right way.

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
Greetings to Aethelred!!! &*> Long may he live in peaceful cohabitation on your homestead. YAM xx

Red said...

I'm always amazed that you report bear sightings but not trouble.

Anvilcloud said...

Long may this Æthelred reign in the forest.