Did you hear about the bear sighting in my neighborhood? Yup, one night last summer someone spotted a bear wandering through some parking lots near my home. The hour was late and no humans were around except for all the people hanging out their windows in the artist buildings. Honestly, even a small, quiet bear isn’t guaranteed anonymity with all these insomniac photographers around.
I confess I felt worried about encountering the bear on my walk the following day. To keep myself safe, I stuck some pots and pans into a tote bag and slung it over my shoulder. I decided if the bear appeared in my path, I’d clang the pots and pans together and jump up and down, waving my arms to look bigger. I figured that even if such activity didn’t scare away the bear, the bear would at least get a good laugh out of the matter, allowing me time during its subsequent guffaws to remove myself from its proximity.
As luck would have it, I saw no bears that day or any day since then. I did, however, spot some interesting fauna. I’m sharing a photo of my favorite sighting, a creature especially dear to me.
You’re welcome.
Photo by Nancy Robinson