Black bear pays a visit to the South Platte River

As summer wound down, bear activity along Colorado’s Front Range picked up. The bears were having a difficult time finding the food they needed to fatten up for winter so they were venturing into areas they normally avoid.

Such was the case with this male cinnamon black bear toward the end of August. He was one of a number of bears and cubs that were frequenting Waterton Canyon, a popular recreation area with a trail into the foothills.  Normally the bears would avoid humans but this year has been different and in fact, the week after I took these pictures the canyon was closed and remains closed today due to the danger.

This boar was hanging out near a sow and her two cubs when he decided to come down to the river for a drink and to cool off. While he looks close, he was a good ways away as I was across the river and up an embankment.