Blog Archives

Clean Up Your Food Please

7/22/2016

This is a three year old female Shenandoah National Park Black Bear that I've known since she was just a cub. She's a really good bear but unfortunately has gotten into trouble this year in one of the park's campgrounds. The park service is now trying to relocate her to a remote area in the park away from people....where she will have to compete with other bears for food and territory. She will be having her first litter of cubs next year and it is sad that she may not get to raise them in HER home..... I took this photo the other day while out in the park with our out-of-town friends. It was very nice of her to cooperate for us and every time I see her I realize it may be the last time that I see her in her home...
When in Bear Country PLEASE keep all your food and trash secured in a LOCKED vehicle with windows ALL THE WAY up (at least two bears, likely including this one, got into trouble this year in that campground because people left food in an unlocked vehicle. Bears can break into that!) to avoid creating more "Good Bears Gone Bad" like this one! Thank you!!

0 Comments

Kaufman Magic

7/20/2016

0 Comments

My parents and I had the honor of spending yesterday evening and today with our dear friends Kimberly and Kenn Kaufman as well as their wonderful 6 year old nephew Drew and 12 year old niece Macy here in Shenandoah National Park among our Black Bear friends. We had a very fun and special time and several bears cooperated! This morning Kim spotted this one, a two year old, climbing up a rocky hillside. Not a great photo by any means but a good memory of a wonderful week. Safe travels back home, friends!

from Kenn Kaufman, author of the Kaufman Field Guides
"The news can be depressing, but what keeps me feeling positive is the fact that birding and natural history pursuits give me a chance to interact with such outstanding young people. Kimberly and I (and our adventurous niece and nephew, Macy and Drew) just spent the last couple of days with our friend Gabriel Mapel, who, at the age of 17, already has phenomenal knowledge of the behavior of Black Bears. It was almost a supernatural experience to watch several bears with him and to hear his quiet commentary -- he knows these animals as individuals, and his understanding of the species is profound. We were also blessed to spend time with his parents, Mary Ivits Mapel and Daniel Mapel, who have supported Gabriel's research and who also have amazing knowledge of the bears and other wildlife. Gabriel and Mary and Daniel were also so kind and considerate to young Macy and Drew. This is the kind of experience that gives me faith in the potential goodness of humanity, despite what the daily headlines might suggest."

from my mama, Mary Mapel
"I sit quietly this morning reflecting on the past couple of days and the blessed time we had sharing our love for bears and wildlife with naturalists and authors Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman, and Macy and Drew, their niece and nephew.
When i was pregnant with Gabriel i used to love walking in the woods, quietly holding my belly and talking to my baby, and sharing my excitement about showing our beautiful wild world to him. The Earth has always been my home, the solitude of the woods, the ancient wisdom of the Redwoods, the calling of the mountains, the majesty of the oceanside, each in their own way healing, and giving me strength as i journey my way through life.
From his early days, Daniel and I would walk these special places with Gabriel and we have watched his wonder and curiosity about the stars, birds, deer, wolves, bears and all of wildlife blossom into this profound connection to nature that moves me so deeply and leaves me in awe as i witness them literally become friends, intimately knowing these wild ones as individual beings, each with a story of their own.
I feel such pride in my heart as I watch him share that connection with others, and see how his passion has burned a commitment in his heart to do all he can to protect and keep this planet safe for the four legged and winged ones that are family.
So these last few days it was nothing short of remarkable to see Gabriel walking in the woods with Kenn and Kim and being their guide as he shared his passion and knowledge of bears. I have such respect for Kenn and Kim for not only their vast knowledge of so many different aspects of nature, but also their passionate commitment to conservation and preservation of our natural world for future generations. So to see Gabriel walking alongside them as a peer, sharing and learning from each other, was truly remarkable. It leaves me feeling so very grateful and blessed to know that Gabriel has mentors who are there to support him in sharing his passion, and that his future is an ongoing mystery, unfolding in perfect time.
Kenn and Kim, thank you so much for sharing this sacred time with my boy in his woods, as well as sharing your time with Daniel and myself. I love the simple ease with which we shared our time, and treasure that our lives are blessed with your friendship. Have a safe journey home."

0 Comments

Black Cohosh Bear

7/17/2016

0 Comments

Yesterday in Shenandoah National Park, an adult female Black Bear that I know well posed for me next to Black Cohosh Wildflowers. I have known this particular bear for several years and have witnessed her raise several litters of cubs. I hadn't seen her for a few weeks so it was wonderful to find her yesterday. She is looking really good. A lot bears get to be pretty thin at this time of year but she is keeping a good amount of weight.

0 Comments

Apple Tree Cubbie

7/14/2016

0 Comments

I took my new to me, DSLR camera setup to Shenandoah National Park one afternoon last week and found a mama Black Bear and her two cubs feasting in a LARGE apple tree packed with apples. I ended up watching and photographing them for nearly two hours. They were very cooperative! This is my favorite shot from the outing.

0 Comments

Gabriel Mapel

Welcome to my Blog, a place for me to share my photos and nature adventures with you. I would love to read your comments, so don't be shy, let me know what you think! (click on the post you are reading and a comment box will appear)