Errr - make that 4 bears.
Or maybe 5.
It was a truly hot summer in CA, with the Central Valley, Sierra Foothills and Tehachapi Mountains seeing many days with peak temps of over 100 degrees.
During one such spell in late June, I happened to have a trail cam on a cattle trough in the Tehachapis, to see how the wildlife might be using it.
Cattle watering hole in Tehachapi Mountains. Moultrie trail camera on bank in upper left.
And while I expected to catch bears, I didn't expect them to enjoy the tin can pond quite so much. At least 4, maybe 5 different bears showed up in a 2 week period. Their 7 visits are below.
visit #1- Junior Brown
The first bear passed by on a cool morning. A smaller, juvie bear - maybe a cub in 2011, or 10.
"Naw - too cold"
visit #2 - Big Shaggy
The next bear dove right in. 85 degrees at 7:26 in the evening - must have been a scorcher of a day. A big, shaggy black bear. Perhaps this is also our upright Fred Astaire Bear?
"Oh - you again"
visit #3 - Junior Brown again
On Junior Brown's second visit he/she also thought the water just right. At 110 degrees out, I would too. Guessing that reading is a bit high, btw. The cam is in full sun, near the ground.
"Ouch, oooow, aaaa, eeeee..."
"Aaahhhhhhh..."
visit #4 - Big Shaggy again
Bear visit #4 is Big Shaggy again. But just for a drink.
visit #5 - Sleek Sable
A new bear showed one toasty afternoon the day after summer solstice. Like Junior Brown, also a smaller 2nd-ish year juvenile. I think. But sleek and sable black. And perhaps looking at another bear that's beyond the camera's view.
visit #6 - Junior Brown again?
Visit #6 was a quick dip that gave only a single photo. Maybe Junior Brown again? Or a new bear? (which, as you'll see next, would make it a 5th bear)
visit #7 - Big Chocolate
Bear visit #7 is definitely another new bear - a big, chocolate brown adult. That really enjoyed the late morning spa time.
"Summertime, and the living's easy..." "Testing, testing... is this thing on?"
"Badump, badump, badump..."
Good way to get to know your bears.
Of course, there were also auditions for the part of rubber duckie.
But I'll save those for another post.
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References:
- Nature of a Man (this blog) - An Upright Character
- Nature of a Man (this blog) - posts on cam trapping the Tehachapis
Wonderful. Nice that they provide recreation for the locals. But what would happen if a cow showed up for some water!
ReplyDeleteD
Wow what a set! Also gave some perspective on the size of the trough. Yeah now I'm wondering what would have happened if a cow showed up
ReplyDeleteWhat a treat! =) I'll def. have to share this with folks. Nicely done! =)
ReplyDeleteThey must have some sort of secret handshake, because the cattle use the trough constantly and there's never any evidence of cattle-bear conflicts on the ranch. I haven't gotten any photos with both together though, so I'd guess the cattle move off when the bear trundles into the scene.
ReplyDeleteAre the smaller -sized bears on their own or do you think they are still hanging out with big, shaggy mama bear?
ReplyDeletePS: if I get rolling tonight, I will post photos of my watering trough visitors - not nearly as big or furry but kinda funny.
ReplyDeleteI spotted the flattened escape ramp in Big Shaggy photo, harharhar. What is the purpose of the the twisted wire across the diameter of the trough? I've been meaning to ask Cowboy Vince that because he rigs his circular tubs that way too. Is it to keep pterosaurs from plunging into the trough and splashing all the water out?
ReplyDeleteHa! No, not pterosaur protection - the T-posts and crosswire keep the trough in place. As the spring dries and the trough gets low, it gets much lighter, and the cattle leaning on it can move it around, and break the fill lines.
DeleteBear size - I think the smaller 1-1/2 year-old bears are in the process of transitioning from their moms. They're around her sometimes, but also forage on their own, and probably this winter, when she would have cubs again, they are on their own for good.
Great shots. Drinking troughs are probably my favorite sites for camera-traps. I always seem to get more than I expected.
ReplyDeleteAmazing pictures, and lovely bears. I love seeing a cinnamon BB!
ReplyDeleteI am leaning towards 4 bears
ReplyDeleteI think it's just 4 bears as well.
DeleteThank you so much...how fortunate for the bears and the birds that this water tub is set up in the summer heat.
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