Black bears are frequent visitors to the edge of this beaver pond.  Usually they are found investigating the smells along its shore, or grazing on the grasses and jewel weed that grow thick beside it in spring and summer. Other animals, such as white tailed deer, coyote, bobcat, river otter, mink, a variety of birds and even moose also share this space.  In dryer months, mother bears can be seen walking across this fallen tree (now seen in the middle of the water), followed by one, two or even three small cubs. On this particular day, however, the water level was so high that this lone bear had to jump across the water that had expanded far beyond the usual shore. Compared to the many graceful visitors who leap, twist and turn while crossing or looking for food, the black bear’s size gives him a dominance that is less dependent on agility. Still, his lumbering jump does get the job of crossing done.:)  To watch the bear in motion, you can play the adjacent video (and full-screen it for a larger image).