For some time now, we’ve been aware of another hiker in the woods where we walk. We’ve seen bear feces, filled with seeds, and sometimes the dogs circle in a kind of crazed, excited way. They don’t pursue the smell too far. We’ve always thought they were smelling a bear.

Our neighbor Tom Wolski set up a video camera to get a photo of the bear, he knew he was around, he named him Fred. He is a big boy, bout 44 inches tall. Fred is known in our neighborhood, aside from his droppings, which we see on the paths and along the road, he is well known for raiding bird feeders and garbage cans around here, he is believed to have entered a chicken roosting pen down the road and eaten some of the chickens.

As we see from the scat, he loves seeds and berries. And he seems to eat a lot of them.

We know there are bears around here, but we have never seen one, they are rarely out walking around in the daylight, they are pretty brazen about knocking over garbage cans and feeders. They are not considered dangerous, they run away from people and dogs, unless you come between a mother and her cubs. They can move very quickly and fight if they need to.

Generally, if you bang a pan or shout at them, they lumber off. But we have never seen him.

This is one animal Maria will not chat with and adopt, I am sure.

From the scat he leaves behind, we know Fred likes the same paths we like. I am confident the border collies would not track or challenge him, that is not the nature of the breed. Red ignores all living things but sheep, and Fate runs when a cat hisses at her. She would not go near a bear. And we would not invade his privacy or bother him in any way. At least, not intentionally.

Tom sent me this photo tonight, I’m impressed. So far, he has left our feeders and garbage cans alone. Our chicken roost is pretty heavy and tight, but I imagine it is just a matter of time before we see Fred or get to know him better. Kind of exciting to have him for a neighbor..