We’ve been having an unusually high number of bear sightings around here over the past couple of weeks.

While we expect to find the occasional black bear out in the woods, folks around here are reporting black bears in their back yards.  The guess is that they’re young males looking for territory after being chased out by the older, stronger males.

It’s kind of neat to see these beautiful animals, and generally, they’re a lot more afraid of us than we are of them.  Still, for parents of small children and pet owners, the thought of having Yogi move in is a little unnerving.

Experts say if the bears don’t find food, they’ll move on in a couple of weeks, but in the meantime, we get a chance to experience wildlife up close and personal.  I hope these bears are able to find someplace soon where they can live in peace.  They really are spectacular.