Ok Ok
I’m posting!
It is pretty easy to find Bears in Yellowstone. About half of my time this June was spent with these incredible critters. At some point I will share one of the most dramatic captures I have ever been involved with.
There are several colors of Black Bears. One of my favorites is the Cinnamon Black Bear.
The cinnamon bear (Ursus americanus cinnamomum) is a color phase of the American black bear, native to Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Washington, Wyoming, Alberta, and British Columbia. The most striking difference between a cinnamon bear and any other black bear is its brown or red-brown fur, reminiscent of cinnamon, from which the name is derived. The subspecies was given the designation because the lighter color phase is more common here than in other areas.
Like other black bear subspecies, Cinnamon bears are omnivorous. Their diet includes fruit, vegetation, nuts, honey, and occasionally insects, and meat, differing from other subspecies because of regional habitat differences. Cubs weigh approximately 230 grams (8 oz) at birth, with adults weighing between 92.1 and 270 kilograms (203 and 595 lb). The life span for this bear is a maximum of 30 years.
Cinnamon bears are excellent climbers, good runners, and powerful swimmers. They are mostly nocturnal, though sometimes active during daylight hours. The cinnamon and brown bears of this country are simply color phases of the black bear, the blondes and brunettes of the family. The various colors are frequently intermixed in the same family; hence it is a common occurrence to see a black bear female with brown cubs, a brown and a black cub, or even all three colors. The bears hibernate during the winter months, usually from late October or November to March or April depending upon the weather conditions. Their scat resembles that of domestic dogs.
Over the years I have photographed many cinnamon black bears. Most notably a mature that killed a sow and 2 cubs. An experience I will never forget. This 2 year old cinnamon is a blend of color due to it’s immaturity. She was not very accepting of us two legged creatures. If this photo of her is not enough incentive to keep a safe distance….well I’m not sure what would be.
