I have a place in the mountains in Virginia, near the Appalachian Trail. On Saturday (June 27), a bear just came strolling though. I had the presence of mind to grab my camera and shoot a video, which I loaded on YouTube: Bob's black bear

This sighting was around noon. As my wife and I were leaving around 6PM, she again spotted the bear in the woods a couple hundred yards away. Unfortunately, I was behind the wheel of the car and couldn't get my camera out.

I've spotted bears around here before but none this close and none when I had my hands on a camera.

--Bob

A little close for comfort. Where were you standing when you shot that footage? Hope you had something between you and the bear!

Enjoy a great day,
Dawn

Great Video Bob!

I'll stick with the squirrels in my backyard, they can't hurt me! (well they could, but....) I don't think I would have been as calm as you filming a bear!

Really cool video

very cool, Bob. I'm glad you were able to capture it. I noticed you had some children's play equipment. Good thing no kids on it! Maybe one day I can capture the coyotes as they wander by in the openspace behind us.

We saw plenty of animals on our recent trip to Wyoming, but only saw one bear from afar. That's okay though. We've had bear encounters on camping trips in California and that was enough for me. On this trip I think the highlight was when a baby buffalo crossed the road in front of us. His mama followed and then came within two feet of our car to stare down my son who was sitting in the front (the one time I wish I had been up there!). I also got some great shots of pronghorn antelope running in front, then beside our car on a desolate stretch of road near the Wyoming/Utah border. You can see them here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/23485844@N05/sets/72157620624673709/

Peggy

Bob,

Thanks for the great clip..they are such beautiful, majestic creatures, and even though I hunt I would never shoot a bear, unless of course to defend myself and at the very last second.

I was up in Stanley, VA a couple of years ago, and came upon one without any warning. My mind wouldn't allow me to take a picture, as I just froze. Thankfully the bear looked at me, and ran into the bushes. Totally unforgettable experience, almost spiritual, and something that just blew me away. Nice clip, and hope to see more of your bear friend.

Mike

We get them regularly as they raid the garbage around here. One night we had one when we were due for a trip to the dump. He kept us entertained for about an hour and a half. He busted up the container we keep the garbage in, then took the bags one by one to the edge of the woods where he pawed through them. It was pretty funny.

All of us have walked out and been surprised by a bear at one point. Usually they run off, but the kids know to head back into the house if they see one when they go out.

Patti

I think I would have been too freaked to try to take a picture or video.

I prefer the chipmunks and squirrels even though they are raiding the bird feeder. At least they run when I go outside. lol

Cool video. I too wondered how close you were when you shot that. We've heard about a black bear in our neighborhood recently, and on Saturday night our dog was going crazy. The bear walked right in front of our house and down the driveway. I grabbed my camera, but hubby had taken the battery out to recharge it and so I didn't get any shots of it. It went across the street into the woods.

I am very nervous about it coming back, we have a lot of little children in our neighborhood!! Years ago we had a black bear on our deck when we were smoking salmon.

They may be beautiful creatures, but almost every year someone in Alaska is killed and eaten by a black bear. I fear them!!

Very cool video, Bob and right in your back yard. Very cool indeed.

I had a fun experience and a "before" photo when in Yellowstone. We were in the presence of a single huge bison that was perhaps fifty feet away at first encounter. Many people started joining our group with cameras. Each staying in the parallel line with others. We started getting a little closer step by step. The imaginary line between us the bison was closing. At one point I took a picture of the people leaning forward as if their knees were stopped by a fence and their upper bodies leaned forward over it. A moment or two later everyone took another step or two closer until we were now about twenty feet away. It was then that the creature gently raised its head and looked in our direction. Everyone made a beeline moving away. It was quite humorous at the time. I suppose if the bison gave chase it wouldn't have been.

Thanks again for sharing, Bob.

pops

I guess the real question that would occur to me at least is "What did Bob do in the woods?" when he saw that freakin black bear up close like that?? ;>

What kind of equipment are you shooting with? Do you think the bear was aware of your presence? And to whom were you speaking (who dared utter sound)???



Kevin