Black Bear is the state symbol of California. Though called black, they are in various shades of brown. They weigh around 200-350 pounds and 7-8ft tall when standing on hind legs.I have seen few of them in Yosemite, Lassen and Sequoia National Parks, California. None of them were aggressive. Watching them looking for food in the meadows is a great experience. The female bear with playful cubs in the lush meadow is a sight to behold.
In the picture is a bear in Crescent Meadow of Sequoia National Park. It was evening time, swarms of notorious mosquitoes were out on hunt! Standing still with an SLR in hand shooting this bear in low light was almost impossible while the mosquitoes mercilessly devoured my blood. Out of 20 clicks 3 pictures were okayish. One of them is here.
On the left, a lot of meadow space for the bear to roam, just to give a perspective how vast the landscape is. The huge base of a Redwood Tree is much larger than 350 pound bear! Nature never stops surprising me!
Playful capture.
ReplyDeleteActually - it's the Grizzly Bear that is the symbol of California. Grizzlies are no longer found in California but there are plenty of Black Bears.
ReplyDeleteActually - it's the Grizzly Bear that is the symbol of California (The Golden Bear).
ReplyDelete@Dhiraj, Thanks!
ReplyDelete@Rob, Hmmm good to know! I always thought the bear which is seen in the forests of CA is on the state symbol! Thank you for letting me know!