Opening The Camp

It has been a long winter.  Even longer in the Adirondacks. 

Due to our only slightly less that stellar play in the Rochester Curling Club playoffs, we just happened to have a few days unassigned, so we were off to the camp for the first time since November.

It's long before the most people arrive, so the peaceful place is even more peaceful.

The snow is melting rapidly with the warmer temperatures.
The brook can't stop babbling about spring.

The hemlocks hang on to the midnight rain.

And the Polar Poodle dashes through the snow.
Yes, Mom's dog, residing with us now, is really a Bichon Poo.
We're getting used to each other.
It's not so bad to have a Bitchin' Poo.

She'll guard your fabulous dock for you.

A little work is called for.
Many of the support posts are leaning,
and one has detached itself completely.
I need a Dock Doc.

But the immediate job is saving the swim ladder.

 Despite the fast running water.

Someone forgot to take it out,
and while it survived the winter without incident,
high water and additional drag from clinging weeds
threatens dislocation or fracture.

Note the safety restraint.  If it goes, I hope it doesn't rip the board off the dock.

Mission accomplished without losing any parts into the swiftly flowing water,
and the ladder is only slightly modified.

Glad to have made the save.  Now it's time to put the tools away.

But what's that in the water out to the west?

Can't be a log...it's not floating downstream.

Looks like it's swimming.

It has ears!

...and it's climbing out of the water onto the ice.

Not much question...

It's a bear!

And a big one!

 Thank goodness I got the ladder out before he climbed up on our dock.

(Click on full screen to see him turn and look back at us.)

All that guard duty and dashing and bear watching was hard work.
Good to have a nice warm woodstove to curl up next to.

And doze until the sun goes down
and the geese honk farewell.

Unbearable

"Coming between a female and her cubs can be dangerous. If a cub is nearby, try to move away from it.   Be alert; other cubs may be in the area."

http://www.americantrails.org/resources/wildlife/WildBearDeerEncntr.html

I've always heard that if you see a bear cub, turn around and go the back the way you came, because Mom can't be far behind.  According to some things I've read recently, this may be a non-urban legend where the American Black Bear is concerned.  But I have no desire to do research.

So when this little guy showed up, hanging around our camp, I was a bit skeptical about being outside when he was around.

Ice Cream

Actually, I suspected he was around before I actually saw him.  He left a calling card.  It pays to know your scat!  (If you happen to find this offensive in any way, just pretend it is "Death by Chocolate" ice cream.  At least it's not as disgusting as one of my previous posts...)

But after a few days, it became apparent that this guy was all alone.  When we saw him moving back and forth across our side yard, there was never anyone with him.  Mom had either pushed him out to fend for himself, or some hunter had made him an orphan.  

I'm outta here.

Yep, I'm leaving.

On second though, maybe I'll provide a photo op.

I'm not a bear expert, but he looks on the small side to be able to make it through the winter.  He also doesn't look plump enough to live on his fat through the cold months.  But maybe he'll find a deep warm den and beat the odds.

A few moons later, he was gone.

  I wish him well.

Maybe he's out there toward the sunset.