“A bear teaches us that if the heart is true, it doesn’t matter much if an ear drops off.”
-Helen Exley

I bet the heart of this big bear was true. So true that it got in some quarrels over it and maybe got some of his many ear piercings while doing that. A scruffy look. But still so very endearing. Maybe also because of the one corn kernel still on his face. Evidence that he just enjoyed a nice breakfast in the corn field. Just too cute. And those eyes….. those eyes just have to have a true heart.

We, my visiting Dutch friends and me, were very lucky to see this bear during yet another great trip with guide and naturalist Mike Dunn from Roads End Naturalist. A wonderful adventure for sure. As big scruffy bear crossed the canal and path, stumbling with those big goofy paws back into the woods, I already knew, I want to go back again….