bears, oh my

The other evening the kids were riding their scooters up and down the driveway. I was sitting on the porch enjoying the orange blossom scented air and the happy sounds all around me. Doug and Tricia were chatting on the circle. After a bit, Dan came out of the house and as he was walking toward Tricia and Doug, he started waving his arms and yelling at the kids to get into the house. At the second what seemed to be ridiculously urgent request, I looked up in time to see the haunches of a black bear as it crossed our driveway.

So…most of us skedaddled inside. Since animal control was closed, I called the non-emergency line for the police. They told me not to worry unless it made a nuisance of itself. Thanks for that advice!

Looking at my next resource, the internet, I found that Dan instinctively did exactly the right thing when he saw that bear according to the University of Florida.

If you encounter a bear:

• Remain calm and do not run.

• Do not approach the bear and give it plenty of space to retreat.

• Make your presence known by making noise, then back away slowly.

• Bring children and pets inside the house.

• Let the bear know it is not welcome in your yard; make yourself appear large by raising your arms and standing tall. Yell or bang pots and pans to scare the bear away.

I handed Doug my camera and he went on an unsuccessful photo hunt. I suppose this Florida black bear is a relative though.