Bears, bears and more bears

[DanL]

Just got back from a fantastic B&B in West Virginia where the #1 attraction is the wildlife, especially the bears. The owners have their own wildlife sanctuary on the top of a mountain. Quite a few bears hang out around the B&B where they can be found laying near the deck, playing with the tire swing, swatting bowling balls strewn in the yard, or rolling in the cedar chip pit. The most we saw at any one time during the two nights we were there was three, but the owner said as many as twenty have been there at any one time during bear season. The bears know it's a safe haven and come there from miles around.

 

[Unicorn]

Those are really lovely pictures DanL...what camera are you using.?
Those bears must be quite used to people.


U.

 

[rginn]

Very nice pics. Out here when bears become that comfortable around people DOW kills them. I think I did understand this to be maybe a private wildlife sanctuary, so hopefully these guys are safe. Good pics, thanks for sharing, DanL.

 

[Unicorn]

Errrrr ummm please explain to someone who does'nt know what "DOW" kills them means...me English you see lol

 

[DanL]

Those are really lovely pictures DanL...what camera are you using.?
Those bears must be quite used to people.


U.

It's a Canon XSi. The bears are very use to people at the B&B. They're very timid around guests but are like lap dogs around the owners. The owners said the majority of the visitors they've had over the last month or so are from the UK.

 

[mainer]

Errrrr ummm please explain to someone who does'nt know what "DOW" kills them means...me English you see lol

Im guessing DOW means Department of Wildlife. Nice pics.

 

[RON (PA)]

Great pics. Those bears are sure cute...where at in WV, looking to take wife and son out of town for a few days...

 

[DanL]

Great pics. Those bears are sure cute...where at in WV, looking to take wife and son out of town for a few days...

Wildernest Inn (www.wildernestinn.com), about 15 miles south of Petersburg, WV -- the only town of any size in the general vicinity. The only way to get there is via a one mile long, very steep and winding gravel/dirt road to the top of the mountain. It's daunting, but I didn't have any problems even though I drive a rear-wheel drive BMW with pretty low clearance.

Not sure how old your son is, but they don't allow kids under 16, I guess because of the bears. Here's a picture of the driveway as well as the view from the top.

 

[dpitt8]

thats quite a view

 

[rginn]

Sorry Unicorn. DOW is the Colorado Department of Wildlife. Bears are wild animals and dangerous. Up here, they have been known to break into houses and even cars. Honda Civics seem to be their favorites. When there's a problem, DOW tries to relocate them, but prime bear habitat is also prime human habitat. They become too familiar with depending on humans for food, and there's no other option but to kill them. That's why we all try to take precautions up here not to give them opportunities for a free lunch.

 

[bbqbull]

Awesome photos, thanks for sharing them with us!

 

[Woodland Detectors]

FANTASTIC PICTURES!

Way too cool

 

[Ray S S]

Great pics. Loved them all. Thanks for sharing a highlight of your trip.

Ray

 

[Frank1960]

I like the one where your both peeking around the tree at each other but they are all great pics

 

[Felinepeachy]

I love it!!!!!!!!!! Awesome pics!

 

[DanL]

I like the one where your both peeking around the tree at each other but they are all great pics

The bear and the owner of the B&B were actually playing peek-a-boo. The bear would take a peek on one side of the tree and when the owner did the same, the bear would take a peek on the other side. They did that over and over until the owner got tired of the game.

 

[gravediggermax-vabeachva]

great pics......man i like to see bears

thanks