a nice day on Mt. Washington

[forestgnome]

Hiked the Tuckerman Ravine Trail to summit of Mt. Washington on a steamy July day.

A black blob caught my eye as I glanced down one of the ski trails that cross the trail. Upon further inspection I found this young bear. She saw me but didn't run too far and stopped to check me out. She went up a tree, but only about 10' and stayed there watching me and just hung out for a long time.

After a while she came down and hung out with me. I stayed seated, trying to present a peaceful presence and she just watched me. At one point she layed down and rolled onto her back for a while. It was awesome...

As I sat with the bear I kept hearing a critter off to the north. As the bear finally walked off I wished her well because she hasn't been without her mama for long. I went to see the other critter...it was a baby raccoon...close cousin of the bear...very cool...so cute...

Tuckerman Ravine was beautiful...lots of flowers in bloom...

fireweed...

yellow avens...

painted cups ( or as I call them, alpine roses )...

violets...

robin's sandwort (right?)

mountain avens...

the summit had a nice breeze but the flowers in the ravine are awesome right now...

I was even treated to a nice cow moose in the notch on the ride home...

happy trails

 

[Tim Seaver]

Wow, what an epic photo day! Love the expressive first shot of the bear, and the raccoon is beyond cute. Great shots and patience!

 

[Jason Berard]

Amazing. After my first up close experience with a black bear, the thing I remembered most, was how light their snouts are as compared to the rest of them. Thanks for sharing your ramblings with us!

 

[una_dogger]

This is great ! I love your posts. Do visit us more often, please

 

[w7xman]

This captures such a cool experience for all of us! You are a master at your craft!

Thanks!

 

[natron]

love it!

looks like you made a friend or 2, thanx for sharing these excellent pix!

 

[J&J]

Nice shots there, Patrick. Love the bear shots. Envious.

 

[Mac]

Excellent pics. All I ever seem to get is a shot of the south end of the animal while it heads north.

 

[JacobH]

Moose whisperer masquerading as a Bear whisperer ITT!

You have a great knack for this. I'm surprised you haven't found work as a nature photographer (or have you??). I mean honestly, most people can't get animal shots like this. Amazing stuff.

 

[Jimmy Legs and Little D]

Wonderful shots, Patrick. Good to see you back. You have the "knack" with wildlife.

Donna

 

[Dale&Sherry]

I agree, amazing photo's thanks for sharing and keep them coming

 

[Tuggy]

Great pictures and descriptions of them. Thanks

 

[Billy]

Patrick, be patient and don't get discouraged. Just keep practicing and eventually you'll get the hang of this photography thing.

 

[IQuest]

Once again, amazing photos! I love the shot of the bear with its tongue out.

 

[TJ aka Teej]

Thanks!

Great pics!

 

[1HappyHiker]

This captures such a cool experience for all of us! You are a master at your craft!

Jim's comment pretty well says it all!

Thanks Patrick for photographically capturing what we all know is out there, but rarely get to see in-person.