Summer at the Bear Wallow

The summer of 2020 was hot and dry in northcentral Pennsylvania, temperatures regularly in the 90s (F) and rain infrequent. And so, the seasonal (vernal) pools in the Big Woods rapidly shrank, many of the smaller ones drying completely. But while the pool I call the bear wallow didn't dry fully, it quickly became smaller and shallower. Nonetheless, it still had a lot of visitors – although the black bears that usually make frequent appearances were notably scarce. One male bear luxuriated in the water on two consecutive days, the videos are almost, but not quite, identical.

The last time the camera trap was checked in August it was turned sideways on the tree to which it was mounted – typical of bear work. The bear must have wanted to bathe in private since the video taken as it was being turned showed only an out-of-focus large black paw wrapping around the camera.

The end of August marks the end of summer as fall begins to arrive in September with cooler temperatures and more abundant rainfall – at least I hope it will be that way. Summer videos from the bear wallow include two species that have never before been caught by the camera at the bear wallow – red-tailed hawk and bobcat – as well as a pair of eastern coyotes: a black male and blond female.

Here they are, the best of the summer's videos from the bear wallow –

The plan is to leave the camera in place until mid-October, we'll see what shows up.