American Black Bear

Description:

American black bears are the smallest (averaging 240 lbs.) and most widely distributed of the North American bear species. Despite their common name, black bears also commonly come in brown and occasionally bordering on white fur. They can be distinguished from brown bears by the lack of a hump on the upper back and by their size. They are omnivores and this one sat down to munch on some berries while I was watching.

Habitat:

Largely forested areas. This one was found in the Juneau, Alaska mountain rainforest.

Notes:

I've not posted in almost forever, but now I have a three week vacation in Alaska and I wanted to get back into it with a bang. So, I bought a new lens and on day one I found this beauty. My wife and I were driving back from what is locally known as "the end of the road." We saw the bear just as the bear saw us (he was attempting to cross the road), and he decided to back up about 30 feet or so and watch us watching him. Normally, I would not attempt to get this close, but I was able to shoot these pictures from inside my car out the passenger side window. After about 15 minutes, we went ahead and drove away as the bear was happily munching on some berries near the road. Absolutely one of my favorite spottings of all time!