Tag Archives: Black Bear

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It’s not every day a black bear comes for lunch. David Skibbins wrote, “My wife, Marla and I were just settling down to lunch  when Smokey dropped by our meadow. After knocking down our woodpecker feeder, he put on a two minute show, wandering back and forth. We were thrilled to have him as a visitor! It is so amazing to live in this place!”

It’s a big, healthy-looking male. Marla got a great video, which you can view here:

http://www.mendonomasightings.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Black-Bear-by-Marla-Skibbins.mp4

Thanks to Marla for allowing me to share her photo and video with you here.

It's a beautiful clear day today, with a nice breeze. Mr. Fog has left and there is a chance for a sighting of a green flash at sunset tonight!

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Several weeks ago Marva Jacobs wrote, “We had a very large Bear eating cherries, even though they are not ripe yet, at 7:45 am!   He first ripped open a hole in the plastic netting and sat under the tree eating the windfalls. Awesome and terrifying. A good six feet tall, standing on his hind legs, and probably 300 pounds!”

The average weight for an adult female  Black Bear is 175 pounds, and the average for an adult male is 400 pounds. Sure looks like a big male to me!

Black Bears are omnivores, which means they pretty much eat anything, including carrion. I know from experience that they love apples and huckleberries.

Thanks to Marva for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

Foggy this morning, blue skies appeared this afternoon. A big fog bank is lurking over the Pacific Ocean. It's been keeping us nice and cool as much of the country is under a heat dome.

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Here's Rita's story:  “I glanced out and saw what I was pretty sure was this big animal across at the neighbor’s driveway (they were not at home) so I  went outside to our front yard to look across the way, and within those couple of minutes this beautiful Black Bear had come to OUR front yard and came face to face with me about 20 feet away with quite a curious look on his/her face... just like me! I am so glad I was able to capture that funny expression and wonderful moment with my iPhone.”

The Bear has soil on his/her muzzle, probably from foraging for food, and was seen on the east side of The Sea Ranch.

Thanks to Rita for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

Windy again today, and clear skies. Temps are cooler today. The Mendonoma Coast is packed with visitors for the 4th of July holiday!

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Eric Zetterholm wrote, "A big Black Bear grabbed a late night snack from our can last night. It took a bag over to our neighbors’ yard for a moonlit picnic but got the attention of our dog and was soon eating in the bright light of my flashlight."

"Damage to the gate was small and the mess in the yard was minimal. The Bear was nice enough to eat from the bag like it was a melted candy bar without getting chocolate all over the place.”

You have to imagine Eric outside in the dark training his flashlight on the bear with one hand and taking photos with the other. Amazing!

Eric wrote further, “I think this gets me close to having a photo of all the different kinds of animals in our area. Fox, Bobcat, Coyote, Mountain Lion, Black Bear... I don't know what else will come to visit us.” Okay, Eric, here’s your challenge. You and Amy Ruegg need a visit from a Ring -tailed Cat. And a Badger. Let's not forget Long-tailed Weasels. And a Spotted Skunk.

Thanks to Eric for allowing me to share his photos with you here!

It's sunny this Sunday, with some passing clouds. It's cooler today, in the mid 60's and the wind is still a-blowing!

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Robert Caughey’s camera was working overtime when a Black Bear visited his garage multiple times on the Gualala Ridge. The bear got into the garbage and opened up a small refrigerator with ease. One video showed the camera in motion – yes, the bear had taken it down and absconded with it. Here are two photos Robert got from his videos.

Once a Black Bear has found food, he/she will return. They have excellent memories. And they will eat pretty much anything!

Thanks to Robert for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

It's been a beautiful day here, with clouds beginning to appear. Rain is in the forecast for the next three days. Bonus sightings - multiple Gray Whales were seen yesterday and today, all heading northward. Thanks, Shari Goforth!