As regular readers know, I’ve been exploring a new area of Lyme forest – a steep slope below a line of crumbling granite cliffs. Huge boulders have broken off the cliff, over centuries, forming a steep hillside with jagged boulders stacked chock-a-block here and there. The resulting nooks and crannies provide excellent den terrain for numerous porcupines. I’ve seen bobcats and coyotes, but have yet to find their dens.
Two weeks ago I found an interesting nook, a dry place under an overhanging boulder, that looked promising. On the ground were scattered small hemlock branches, snipped from the trees above – most likely by porcupines, but I was curious to see who might be resting and eating below this overhang. I placed a camera, and left. Five days later, it had a visitor.
Today I returned and found my camera, with its case wide open and exposed to the elements. The strap had been scratched with a sharp claw. From prior experience, I guessed it was the work of a bear.
Sure enough, as the video below shows, the culprit is a black bear. Warning: you’ll see a part of the bear you never want to see in-person this closely. 😉
I admit this finding wasn’t too surprising. Only 45 minutes earlier, while bushwhacking toward the cliffs, I came across this large, fresh, bear scat.
Yes, folks, it’s April and the bears are back!
David Kotz 
good one!
What is it about a camera that interests the bear? It doesn’t taste good.
Likely the smell. Bears have excellent sense of smell. Perhaps they smell me. Also, the camera has a red light it uses whenever motion is sensed at night – otherwise the videos would be all black ;-). The light attracts their attention. Not sure whether they are irritated or just curious.