The snow in the photo above
certainly looks inviting given the hot & humid summer so far. The photo is
a video grab from a trail camera that has been in the field since last November.
This TC captured nice moose footage over the winter.
The injured bear is still
wandering around. More info to share in upcoming post.
Won’t be long before moose
activity starts picking up. I’ve been moving and adjusting cameras last week.
Jim
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Just back from a week’s camping trip.
Checked trail cameras this morning, got some daytime moose footage Bears are busy
eating wild berries, especially blueberries—found eight piles of berry-filled bear scat while
bushwhacking. Most trail cameras are set up at bear marking trees, but bear
activity has dropped since mating season ended. Now I am preparing for the fall
moose rut.
Jim
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One of my trail cameras recorded an
injured sow on June 1st, with a male following her. The extent of her injuries
became clearer when she appeared on a second trail camera on June 8th,
revealing a top rump injury that could be road burn and a lower wound with a
significant piece of flesh missing. It is possible the injuries resulted from a
collision with a vehicle. On June 14th, the sow scent marked using her
non-injured side, and on June 15th, she was videoed crossing a log bridge,
showing agility despite her injuries. By July 3rd, footage from a fifth trail
camera showed the wound healing and no apparent decline in her mobility or
condition.
The reason for sharing this video is to show how resilient a
black bear can be, Despite her injuries. She likely mated, continued scent marking “ Gently rubbed on ritual
scent marking trees, appears to still be foraging, and has put on miles
wandering central Massachusetts. Hopefully, she continues healing and passes another
TC to see her continued progress.
Jim
STOP – video graphic, showing injured bear!
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Trail camera activity was minimal last week due to high
temperatures. The cow moose with one calf remains in the vicinity, occasionally
captured on camera as they pass by. Bear activity has decreased in several
areas. Blueberries are about to ripen, which may increase bear activity in
these regions.
Earlier this week, I went kayaking, caught a few fish, and took
pictures of eaglets before they fledged. Bear activity at the scent marking
trees is slowing as mating season winds down by the end of June. Deer flies
require wearing a head net for woodland walks. Blueberries will soon be ripe,
with bushes full due to the wet spring.
Jim
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An
eventful week in the woods.
This
sow with cubs hasn’t been around in a while, ( Pic Above) The cubs are getting big.
The
video was a surprise. Likely not to see this again. https://youtu.be/_i1z-ahuzZo
While hiking behind a beaver pond, I met a sow and her
yearling eating skunk cabbage near the trail. I didn't notice them until I
heard loud tearing sounds. The bears were so focused on foraging skunk cabbage
that they didn't hear me approaching. The incident lasted about twenty seconds,
giving me time to decide what to do.
My first thought was "Oh crap!" as I never
expected this! I was so close that sudden movement might startle the sow, who
was just a short lunge away. I chose to freeze, hoping she would scent or see
me and leave. She looked up at me in disbelief before bolting off, stopping
thirty yards away and looking back for her cub. The yearling cub stayed by a small tree,
watching me. I slowly backed away, and after a few steps, the yearling ran to
its mother.
Thankfully, my decision worked out well. Let me know your
thoughts . What would you have done ? hikingcamera@aol.com
Jim
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Every year I hope to get at least one cow and calf video.
Last year I struck out. Hopefully with this early capture they’ll be
more to come.
Tc’s captured two pregnant cows earlier this year.
Jim
