Today we have two wildlife videos filmed by Kathy Mechling of Selma, Oregon. They show BEARS IN THE WATER! Kathy’s text is indented.
From Southwestern Oregon’s Illinois valley, bordering the eastern edge of the Kalmiopsis Wilderness, this American black bear (Ursus americanus) felt a need to bathe after eating manzanita berries (Arctostaphylos manzanita, most common here) and other nibbles. He might be blowing underwater bubbles for fun, but it could be due to thick smoke we had here that week irritating his nose. Do not miss the “gender reveal” party at the end.
JAC: Here’s a photo I found of manzanita berries:
Probably the same bear, a few days later, showing his pelt coloration. So far this year there are 5 bears in the neighborhood, a few more than usual, including a cinnamon sow, a dark brown sow, and a distinctly shorter black black bear.
Very good!
Now America does not really need whatever the Kelce/Swift thing is, but we do need Fat Bear Week, and thanks to congress it’s still on!
We have a lot of new bears up in Western WA as well (black bears). They like our bird feeders which is a drag. The bear in the water was really cool! Thanks for sharing.
Fantastic! Go, Selma Bears! Fat Alaskan bears have nothin on you but a few hundred lbs. You berry eaters are better for the environment 😸
Thanks for this memorable post!