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Soggy and Groggy Black Bear Cub by David & Shiela Glatz Via Flickr: When it started raining, he took a nap in the crook of this tree. This Black Bear (Ursus americanus) cub woke up to find his fur matted and soggy. He also seemed surprised that a couple strange humans were watching as he groggily repositioned himself on the branches and looked for his mom.
Black Bear Balance by David & Shiela Glatz Via Flickr: With their amazing sense of smell, abundant energy and uncanny agility, Black Bears (Ursus americanus) are excellent trackers. This tiny spring cub was high up in a wet tree. No idea what he was "tracking" - probably an insect - though he looked very serious about it. Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary, Orr, Minnesota.
Black Bear Balance by David & Shiela Glatz Via Flickr: With their amazing sense of smell, abundant energy and uncanny agility, Black Bears (Ursus americanus) are excellent trackers. This tiny spring cub was high up in a wet tree. No idea what he was "tracking" - probably an insect - though he looked very serious about it. Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary, Orr, Minnesota.
Mom's Back and the Sun is Out by David & Shiela Glatz
One Small Step by David & Shiela Glatz Via Flickr: When a Black Bear (Ursus americanus) spots and/or smells potential food, it can become obsessed with getting it. Here a tiny cub, high up in the trees on a rainy morning, detects something in the crown of the dead tree. He just can't resist literally sticking his nose in it. In his quest for food, he seems to be stepping into oblivion, with no where to go and nothing to grip. However, his little claws actually found a hold on the branch. From the scratch marks on that branch, looks like he wasn't the first bear to venture forth up there.
Soggy and Groggy Black Bear Cub by David & Shiela Glatz Via Flickr: When it started raining, he took a nap in the crook of this tree. This Black Bear (Ursus americanus) cub woke up to find his fur matted and soggy. He also seemed surprised that a couple strange humans were watching as he groggily repositioned himself on the branches and looked for his mom.
One Small Step by David & Shiela Glatz Via Flickr: When a Black Bear (Ursus americanus) spots and/or smells potential food, it can become obsessed with getting it. Here a tiny cub, high up in the trees on a rainy morning, detects something in the crown of the dead tree. He just can't resist literally sticking his nose in it. In his quest for food, he seems to be stepping into oblivion, with no where to go and nothing to grip. However, his little claws actually found a hold on the branch. From the scratch marks on that branch, looks like he wasn't the first bear to venture forth up there.
Working Mom by David & Shiela Glatz Via Flickr: Mother Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) has a tough life. She's responsible for protecting her two vulnerable cubs - mostly from other bears. She absolutely has to catch and consume enough salmon to build her fat reserves sufficiently to survive a long winter in stasis. She has to feed the cubs, both with salmon and milk, and to teach them how to survive. She's a working mom, and like every one of those, regardless of species, she's a hero.
Tiny Bear, Big Yawn by David & Shiela Glatz Via Flickr: Tiny Black Bear (Ursus americanus) cub, just awoken from his nap, takes a big yawn as he scans the forest floor below.
Soggy and Groggy Black Bear Cub by David & Shiela Glatz Via Flickr: When it started raining, he took a nap in the crook of this tree. This Black Bear (Ursus americanus) cub woke up to find his fur matted and soggy. He also seemed surprised that a couple strange humans were watching as he groggily repositioned himself on the branches and looked for his mom.
Puma Cub in Shaft of Light BW by David & Shiela Glatz Via Flickr: BW conversion - Puma cub (Puma concolor) in a shaft of light on a densely wooded hill.
Leopard Cub in Pursuit by David & Shiela Glatz Via Flickr: Female Leopard (Panthera pardus) cub in pursuit of her nemesis, a squirrel. She dashed around this huge tree for about 5 minutes before giving up the chase. Almost caught it once, but the cagey squirrel ducked into a cavity.
Elephant Golden Hour by David & Shiela Glatz Via Flickr: Bull Elephant (Loxodonta africana) feeding on the shore of the Chobe River as the sun sets.
Gathering of Giants by David & Shiela Glatz Via Flickr: After an afternoon of drinking water from the Chobe River, a herd or "parade" of Elephants (Loxodonta africana) literally heads off into the sunset. They all moved over to a dusty area near the bank, to get the dust and mud baths necessary to keep their skins clear of parasites and to cool off.
Rx For the Egomaniac by David & Shiela Glatz Via Flickr: For a long time, we've considered nature an ideal prescription for the arrogant, self-centered, or egomaniac human. When we encountered - face to face - this enormous African Elephant (Loxodonta africana), we thought he could provide valuable perspective to such a human. Towering over our boat, 10-13 ft (3.2–4 m) tall at the shoulder and weighing 10,000 - 13,000 lb (4,700–6,000 kg), he quickly established to us just how small and insignificant we are. Also unlike humans, he went about his feeding barely even looking at us. A gentle giant, in this moment anyway.
Reflective Lioness by David & Shiela Glatz Via Flickr: Belly full after feeding with her sisters and their cubs on a Waterbuck, this female Lion (Panthera leo) looks back at her pride while she gets a drink. She seems satisfied and perhaps even a bit reflective.
Four Generations of Elephants by David & Shiela Glatz Via Flickr: Apply mud bath to protect sensitive skin against the sun and insect pests - check. Make your way to the Chobe River to slake your thirst (Elephants drink up to 50 gallons of water a day) - check. Elephant (Loxodonta africana) family - what looks like four generations - sticks together to fight the heat.
