Because Black Bears are excellent climbers. However it is always worth a crack Trev.
If you see a grizzly throw yourself at his feet and assume a star shape so he can’t roll you over. How this is useful I am not entirely sure but the little wildlife preparedness card in our Motel room tells us so.
If you see a cougar do not break eye contact. I am not sure exactly how long one must engage in a staring contest with the big cat who I am assured has really nasty breath as they do not floss, but I think he has to blink first then you can shake hands (paws) say great game mate and be on your way.
And always stay at least three bus lengths away from an elk. “Stay right there Elk,” you must call out. “The wildife information card says three bus lengths”. If he asks whether you mean Chicago buses or those long bendy London Buses then you have met a sassy Elk and it is best to climb a tree. Unless there is a black bear in the tree already. Then you might like to try eye contact. Or maybe throw the information card at said Elk to frighten it away with words. Words are powerful you know.
Simple really.
Keeping all this in mind have a lovely walk in the forest around the outskirts of Canmore.
Beautiful.
Good morning. The best thing for a hang-over (not that I would know as after you turn 40 you don’t get them anymore) is a good walk. I have tested this theory frequently since I turned 40, um, some time ago. So a good walk was had by all.
Though I don’t think we thought enough about elevation a the symptoms of altitude sickness’ the repercussions of flying up all this way then landing here. Canmore is 4296 feet (1076 metres) up in the air, not too high, but Wellington where the others are from is at sea level, and the prairies are around 800 (120 metres) feet above sea level. So it is a consideration. Tiredness, nausea, lack of appetite and a headache are symptoms of mild altitude sickness. It feels like a hang over. (Or it is a hangover but at the wrong end of the party) Luckily I do not have any of these symptoms but one member of our party does. So I made a big potato salad, we went for a long walk, drunk heaps of water and green tea and then early to bed. Mama said. Hopefully everyone is back on form for today.
We have woken up to thunder and lightening and heavy rain. A good old storm. Without a car we have been walking everywhere so I hope it does not last too long!
Have a lovely day.
your friend celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
71 responses to “Climbing Trees won’t save you from Black Bears”
Amazing place you’ve landed in, C! Thanks for the beauty this morning – and the giggles!
Looks like you have heaps of giggles at your place too this morning! c
A walk in the rain in that beautiful forest landscape sounds heavenly! I hope the altitude sick is feeling better today.
He is still asleep but he was improving yesterday evening. So today will be a good one I am sure. Of course We have to throw in jet-lag too. .. c
Oh Celi, I so love your wit! I laugh out loud at your hilarious posts! And that’s the truth! Just love the ‘Ways to deal with wild animals in Canada.’ Just be careful up there, will you? So happy you are having a wonderful time! xoxoxo
Oh i am sure they don’t come to town often, maybe only when they run out of flour and sugar.. c
Ah, a short time in the mountains and I’m relaxed and smiling.
(I thought the hotel card said cover neck and head if confronted by bear….maybe that’s a brown bear instruction…hard when some of them look like black bears. I have run rather rapidly and frantically in front of a buffalo herd who suddenly decided they would give autographs or something)
Have a wonderful trip Ci. This all makes me smile (even the storm – it’s different in the mountains)
Oh yes you are absolutely right, cover neck with hands possibly as a distraction for the bear so he spends a wee bit of time prying your hands loose before getting down to business! Buffalo stampede.. eek.. c
Too funny C! I wonder how they came to the conclusions they did before writing them in your wildlife preparedness card – I really shouldn’t laugh but it’s so funny.
Here’s to your weather clearing and you having a sun shiny happy day and that everybody is feeling better.
🙂 Mandy xo
Yes, one has to wonder Who made these decisions. I would like to know what signs to look for in the forest so you know a bear might be about?… c
My husband says that you would see the scat, scratch marks on trees, and most likely you would smell the bear. Apparently they have quite the odeur! Good luck in that beautiful forest and those mountains.
What a beautiful place to go for a walk.
Lovely photos.
What a beautiful place. Stay away from bears, cougars and elks – we want you back safe on the Farmy!
thanks for this beautiful post =)
really enjoy reading it.
Who tests out all these wildlife preparedness postures? I’m sure they were different when we visited the Rockies some years ago. Did our versions not work so that they had to change them? In which case, which poor soul found out that they were WRONG?!!!
Christine
Oh very good point. Who does the trials. I am sure I will just resort to the Run Like Hell posture!! except maybe for the eye contact one, i am very good at the Staring Contest.. c
I’m with you on that one, well, the running at least! By the way, I meant to say yesterday that your son has your smile!
Christine
He is a handsome boy and such a happy fellow right now!
Funny thing darling C I found after 40 or was it 60 even drinking water feels like a hangover, so I take a little less water and a bit more of the fermented grape. Now I think it unwise to post pis of old wonderful cars begging for love or our John will want you to smuggle it home in your purse and that could provide some difficulty at the border. (“Now Madam, are you saying you have no recollection of how this vehicle found its way into your handbag?). Goodness knows there have been enough border difficulties already. (I still can’t believe that you of all people needed a passport.) Enjoy the wonderful mountain air!
P.S. I notice you picked up 10 new subscribers in this adventure – way to go!
I think we should make a rule that every new subscriber introduce him or herself, imagine how many wonderful new people we might discover. c
Thanks for the FUN post. Keep your eyes wide open as you wander the woods. 😯
I will.. all we have seen so far are birds! c
Oh, the best method is to avoid the bears and wear bear bells! Keep your eyes open for bear skat so you’ll know they are close. You’ll know a black bear is around if you see scat full of small bones, seeds, and undigested berries. You’ll know a brown bear is around if you see scat full of small bones and bear bells.
Lacey you are a wit. I have seen scat like you describe on the prairies, but have always assumed it is the coyotes, they eat berries and wind fall apples too! Maybe we have bears!! Now i want a bear bell! Desperately.. cc
Wherever you go life is fun.Thank you for this morning’s laugh
what a gorgeous place! try to avoid the animals!