Tags
bear cub climbing tree, bears, black bear cubs, Black bears, photography, wildlife photography, Yellowstone National Park
Momma had her paws full with Junior.
He was curious and playful, always darting off to chase butterflies or scamper over logs or scramble up trees or poke his nose into an ant pile.
Momma knew that in a few months Junior would go his own way and she worried that he was not learning fast enough.
“Pay attention now!” she said as they set off on another daily walk.
Junior loved these morning walks. Momma would get so preoccupied with finding food – “super-sizing for the long sleep-over” she called it – that he could sneak off and pretend he was a grown-up already.
Is Momma looking? No…? Good, I’m gonna go see what’s over this way!
Junior found some deadfall and started balancing nimbly on a log. Rotting trees and scattered brush made great playgrounds!
Hmnn… Momma said there should be some tasty termites in here somewhere, where can they be hiding?
I know… I’ll break this stick off – that’s where the bugs are, underneath!
But alas, all Junior got for his grown-up effort was a splinter in his mouth.
So he sat for a moment and tried to remember more tips his Mother had taught him about finding food.
Flowers! Yes, flowers are good to eat!
But which ones did Momma say tasted good – the yellow ones or the blue ones?
Junior bit into a yellow flower.
Ugghhh!
He vowed to eat only blue flowers next time.
Look, a climbin’ tree! Momma taught me to quick get up high whenever there’s danger around.
There was no danger nearby that he could see but he could pretend, couldn’t he?
Junior looked in all directions actually hoping to see some big bad Papa bear. Momma said they would kill you if they weren’t your real daddy but he knew he was safe way up this high.
Oh, yes – Momma said there were crunchy pine nuts up here to eat!
Uh, Oh! Is that a people-type person? What did Momma say about humans? Are they dangerous?
That’s right! Momma said humans were okay and that she was raising me close to the road because Papa bears and wolves don’t come down this far.
Look, there’s Momma!
I’m coming, Momma, I’m coming!
Junior was all tired out from being a grown-up. He figured he knew more than Momma thought he did but he also knew he still had a lot to learn. He hoped Momma had some milk for him when he got home.
It takes a worried mom,
To raise a confident son.
She’s worried now,
But she won’t be worried long.
w/ apologies to the Kingston Trio
Beautiful time lapse shots!!! Cheers Nonoy Manga
Thanks, Nonoy. And keep up the good work yourself!
Oh John, too fabulously wonderful. The little adventuring bear. How on earth do you get all these splendid photographs, safe from bears, downwind, watching this unfold. It’s such a thrilling documentary, I feel as if I’m in the Yellowstone air, and the narrative is exactly right, so fine. Maybe I’m projecting but the last shot of worried mom, well she looked angry! and I’m thinking (being the little bear) uh oh, I don’t like that look…..
It makes the very art of investigating all lively again, makes me think of coming upon flowers for the first time, which ones to eat, what to take home. Lovely work, thanks for the hike in the wilds before breakfast.