The trail cam hasn't been seeing a lot of overnight action, probably because of the rain and fog. Yesterday, however, as the fog rolled in, a bunny was observed hoppily munching near the HRD. Throughout each day, a stream of critters come by the rock; each seems to become more comfortable with the other as the summer progresses... I wonder if this would happen "naturally".
This morning began with a bear sighting ~ SC (Spooky's Cub) was outside but as his name would suggest, he was being very spooky about something in the thicket, most likely Shadow. He didn't stay very long. A bit later, I went outside and looked over to the bed pine tree...sure enough, he was up there sleeping! So I suited up for a walk in the woods. I thought about wearing my new boots but decided against it since it is so wet outside ... thank goodness for that decision as one of the first things I did in the woods, was walk into a pile of very wet bear scat!! My aim today was to see if I could get better pictures of SC up in the tree, and I had un-knowingly gone out with a 1G SD card in the camera. It took me all of 10 minutes to fill that up, so a return to the house was in order... would SC still be up there when I returned?? 
I'd had the 50mm lens on the camera, and decided to switch back to the telephoto. I am so glad, because SC was very accommodating today. Not only did he remain in the big pine for a while, he seemed to pose (ok, he was actually checking me out and being very alert to his surroundings) ... but he IS a very photogenic cub♥ I traipsed around the tree and took photographs from several angles (500+ photos today, oh my...); I thanked my resident cub for his time, then left the woods. Walking out, I came upon Mama turkey and her lone remaining baby walking along the driveway so of course that demanded a few photographs, and then I realized that what I thought were additional turkeys near the pond were actually a pair of turkey
vultures, trying to retrieve the dead bass the Heron had grabbed, then dropped a day before. Dispite the fact that I hadn't had breakfast, and was functioning on only one cup of coffee, I decided to stay outside for a while and see what SC did after I left the woods. Another great decision ... Mother Nature is certainly directing me today! Not 15 minutes elapsed before I heard the scrape of paws on pine, and saw the black shadow moving down the trunk of the tree. There was still some corn at the HRD so I figured SC would be over shortly for a nosh. How thrilled was I, to hear logs being torn apart instead! Yes, there are treats here for this cub and all of his friends, neighbors and relatives. But he is a bear,
and he is doing his bear thing! I so wanted to sneak off and photograph his efforts but feared he'd run off (he IS Spooky, after all...), so I stayed put in the shadows for a bit and then went inside. The bluejays have been dive bombing and dancing with one another, so I thought I'd take a few peanuts out to them ~ another great-timing decision. Turns out, SC likes peanuts too.... although he did go through some cautionary exercises before he came out to partake of the new victuals. I spoke softly to him and tossed a few peanuts in his direction, and he blessed me by moving closer and allowing me to take some amazing photos of him. As usual, I wanted to reach over and pull the ticks off his head; I wanted to feed him a handful of peanuts and sunflower seeds; I wanted to be close enough to touch this amazing
and beautiful little bear. But I know the risks are far greater for him, than for me, if I were to indulge those desires ... so I remain content and grateful for the opportunity to be as close as he came to me and for the mutual trust and respect we share. I hope the little white shock of hair between his ears remains, as it is the identifier I am using for him at the moment. If his presence mimics that of Buddy last year, he will be a frequent guest through early next year and then widen his "territory" greatly. For now, I am so pleased he seems to have chosen "Fawn Haven" as his haven too.
I wonder if he will use the den below the pond that I stumbled upon earlier this year? That would be a dream come true for me... in the meanwhile, I will just enjoy his frequent visits. This one seemed to be shorter than usual, and I suspect I now know why. When I went inside he was lying in the grass eating peanuts; by the time I got inside the house, removed my boots and grabbed a cup of coffee, the larger bear had taken his place at the HRD. 
For whatever reason (Maybe because I added a music track??), it seems I can't insert this youtube video here, so you'll need to click the link to see me and SC today ...
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"There is a road in the hearts of all of us, hidden and seldom traveled,
which leads to an unknown, secret place.The old people came literally to love the soil,and they sat or reclined on the ground with a feeling of being close to a mothering power.Their teepees were built upon the earthand their altars were made of earth.The soul was soothing, strengthening, cleansing and healing.That is why the old Indian still sits upon the earth instead of propping himself up and away from its life giving forces.For him, to sit or lie upon the ground is to be able to think more deeply and to feel more keenly. He can see more clearly into the mysteries of life and come closer in kinship to other lives about him." Chief Luther Standing Bear **********
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