Taylor Creek National Forest

Teddy Bear
This California black bear was photographed at Taylor Creek in November 2023, during the peak of the Kokanee salmon spawn. It was early afternoon, and the boardwalk above the creek was crowded with visitors as the bear returned to the water to feed on the dying salmon. Focused on building its winter reserves, the bear would occasionally lift its head to survey the onlookers quietly admiring its presence.

Nearby, rangers watched attentively, monitoring the distance between the bear and the crowd to ensure safe coexistence. Moments like this remind me of the value of our public lands and what they mean to the wildlife that depends on them.