Book launch in support of Riverwood's Education Programs:
Tuesday April 20th, 1 pm.
Black Bears A Natural History to register Black Bears Live on Facebook to view
To order: Black Bears A Natural History
Black Bears Introduction
Black Bears: A Natural History is full of information and facts about black bears but as in most cases authors have so much more to share. I am no exception. These pages will, I hope, add to the bear's stories. My goal here is not to repeat information in the book but to offer new insights and connections about black bears, conservation and behaviour. I also try and relate these stories to other species.
Black Bears: A Natural History is full of information and facts about black bears but as in most cases authors have so much more to share. I am no exception. These pages will, I hope, add to the bear's stories. My goal here is not to repeat information in the book but to offer new insights and connections about black bears, conservation and behaviour. I also try and relate these stories to other species.
Floppy: Living with a Handicap
I think I first met Floppy in 2000. (By the way Floppy is my name for this bear. I am sure the local cottagers know him by other names.)
In 2006 his jaw was freshly broken and that became his identifying feature. I may well have photographed him a few years before when he was uninjured. I think I have pictures of him dating to 2000 when he was a three year old male. As far as I know he died in 2017 at the age of around 20.I think. For most of his life he lived with his handicap and he prospered. (For more see pg. 17 in my book: Black Bears A Natural History)
Floppy is not the only bear that I've seen with this affliction... (For more click above)
I think I first met Floppy in 2000. (By the way Floppy is my name for this bear. I am sure the local cottagers know him by other names.)
In 2006 his jaw was freshly broken and that became his identifying feature. I may well have photographed him a few years before when he was uninjured. I think I have pictures of him dating to 2000 when he was a three year old male. As far as I know he died in 2017 at the age of around 20.I think. For most of his life he lived with his handicap and he prospered. (For more see pg. 17 in my book: Black Bears A Natural History)
Floppy is not the only bear that I've seen with this affliction... (For more click above)
Rosie: Mother of Generations
So many of us fell in love with Rosie. She was a bad bear gone straight. She got her name because she sported two rose coloured ear tags. In Yellowstone N.P. bears that get into trouble by begging for food, entering campground or other inappropriate behaviour get tagged as the first step. (You can guess what the final step is.) I do not know when she was captured and tagged. However she became a very well behaved bear after that. Because she hung out around Tower Falls area she was very visible to passing visitors and photographers. She soon became a favourite with everyone. (See page 163 for main mention but see also images on 43, 46, 152 & 168,) (For more click above)
So many of us fell in love with Rosie. She was a bad bear gone straight. She got her name because she sported two rose coloured ear tags. In Yellowstone N.P. bears that get into trouble by begging for food, entering campground or other inappropriate behaviour get tagged as the first step. (You can guess what the final step is.) I do not know when she was captured and tagged. However she became a very well behaved bear after that. Because she hung out around Tower Falls area she was very visible to passing visitors and photographers. She soon became a favourite with everyone. (See page 163 for main mention but see also images on 43, 46, 152 & 168,) (For more click above)
Ontario Bears
Very few of the images in the book were taken at landfills but I am not above photographing bears there. I have had the pleasure of visiting one in particular many times over the years thanks to my good friends the MacLeans. Working with these "dump" bears has provided me with many insights into their behaviour. I've studied their tracks, their scat, their gaits, their dominance, their attitude and their tolerance of people. I've learned a lot and the main lesson learned is that there is so much more to learn... (For more click above)
Very few of the images in the book were taken at landfills but I am not above photographing bears there. I have had the pleasure of visiting one in particular many times over the years thanks to my good friends the MacLeans. Working with these "dump" bears has provided me with many insights into their behaviour. I've studied their tracks, their scat, their gaits, their dominance, their attitude and their tolerance of people. I've learned a lot and the main lesson learned is that there is so much more to learn... (For more click above)