There's a big black bear in my back yard!

[OnionPatch]

:wow: This is the second time he's been back tonight! He's trying to break into our little chicken coop. I threw rocks at him and he left. My heart is beating fast. Can't sleep now....may as well check in. :hi:

[YankeyMCC]

1. Hide the picnic baskets!

;)

Be careful.

[xchrom]

2. they really set your heart to racing don't they?

they can be destructive to property -- if not secured against them.

there is probably information in your area that can advise about how to bear proof.

[BreweryYardRat]

3. Allow me to post some advice Redstone gave in a black bear thread last year.

I liked it so much it made a list of quotes I keep on my computer.

“Black bears are very easy going, unless they're hassled. Then they demonstrate how they made it to the top of the food chain. Stuffed toy at ease; cruise missile with hair when annoyed.”

[OnionPatch]

9. I was just steps away from the back door

when I launched the rock assault. :scared:

[ghostsofgiants]

4. It's like a freakin' country bear jamboroo around here.

[YDogg]

5. gosh. all we had this morning were sand hill cranes in the neighbor's yard.

link & pic from the web:

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/Birds/Index/default.cfm?id=520

[OnionPatch]

7. Cool!

I'd really rather have that.

[YDogg]

10. The cranes are gorgeous. They live about .25 mi away in a small wetlands area ...

... and periodically fly / walk through our neighborhood. Yesterday morning I was out walking the dog, and the cranes were in another neighbor's yard. They have a distinctive (and to me) beautiful loud call; as we walked past, they called out, and you could see their breath in the cool morning air. Totally made my Thanksgiving.

More pictures, and call sounds:
http://www.savingcranes.org/species/sandhill.cfm

[OnionPatch]

11. I saw some once in Texas

at Aransas NWR. I went to see the whooping cranes, but the sandhills were just as pretty! You're lucky to have them nearby. If there are cranes around, I bet you must have other neat birds nearby as well. Very cool.

[YDogg]

12. We have about 30 ducks during the winter months in the same area. It makes walking ...

... the dog even more pleasurable.

:-)

[TheFriendlyAnarchist]

6. Damnit, stop throwing rocks at me! I just want some omlettes w/ chicken!

[OnionPatch]

8. I was thinking he probably wanted some Thanksgiving dinner.

Everyone else was eating turkey!