This summer was a tough one for the area with several large wildfires that burned right up to the city limits. At one point 90,000 people had to evacuate their homes. Around 50 homes were destroyed and at least 2 people lost their lives. We were a few blocks from the evacuation zone but thankfully did not have to leave. The sometimes-overlooked cost of these fires is the lost habitat and food sources for wildlife that occur. With critical areas burned animals are already making their way into urban areas to find food. The park I sometimes walk my dog at had a mother bear and two cubs darted and removed this last week. This area is well within the city and not normally considered bear habitat. With record snowfalls predicted as a historic El Nino is forming off the west coast we could have a terrible winter for wildlife.
This is a crappy photo but is indication of the movement of wildlife in the wake of the fires. Bears live on the mountainous west side of town and rarely venture to the areas east of there because it is desert. I run my trail cameras along the river corridor east of the city. I collected my memory cards yesterday and was shocked to see a bear when going through the pictures. Over 10 years of monitoring this area and I have never seen a bear out there. Wolves have been spotted just north of the area as well. Maybe I will get lucky and catch one on the cameras.
I have not seen any mountain lions for a few months. It may explain why I am seeing a lot of bobcats.
I think it is going to be an interesting winter for wildlife monitoring. We shall see what we see.
When we lived in Colorado Springs, the smell of smoke was an ominous thing. I lived close enough to the west edge of town that during the Waldo Canyon fire, I was ready to evac my place at a moment’s notice. When the fire crested the hills and came down into the city’s edge, I was watching from my office building.
Here in Kansas, though, they burn the fields in the spring. And once I realized the smell/sight of smoke in the air wasn’t destructive… it changed everything about it for me.
I hope your wildlife survives the winter. It’s interesting to see what you get.
Yes, the fire threat is and has been frightening this summer. I didn’t camp this year because everywhere was too dry and being caught in a fire is not on my bucket list. I think there are going to be some conflicts with wildlife in our town. I do hope the bear hangs out in my trail camera area. Thanks for commenting!
The concern with wildlife conflicts in town is it usually ends poorly for the wildlife.
Is the bear a risk to you when you collect your cards?
I don’t think so but never say never. These are black bears which are not known for aggression toward humans, but attacks and predation do happen occasionally especially if they are really desperate. I carry a bear horn, bear spray and a 9mm handgun so I am ready if the situation called for it. Hoping as always, we just avoid each other like with the mountain lions.
These are cool photos. I love seeing the bobcats. They are so reclusive. I have only ever caught a quick glimpse of one in the wild.
Hope the wild life won’t fair too badly. They need all the help they can get.
I love seeing bobcats too. I wish I could run into one so I could photos with my real camera. Thanks for stopping by!
I tot that a big tiger.
🙂
Global climate change is manifesting with unusual natural phenomenon. It seems as though winter will be “interesting” everywhere this year.
Yes, I think you are correct.