Barn Loft Hunting

Well, I went back to the farm this evening in hopes of getting some more wildlife footage. I was standing directly in front of the barn, preparing to leave for the evening, when I noticed a deer on the hillside at about 100 yards from me. It was in some tall grass and somewhat difficult to see. I swung the camera into action, recording while trying to find the deer in the LED screen. I finally found it and continued videoing. When I returned home and put the video into the computer to edit, I discovered a real surprise.

A black bear was on the same hillside, further out than the deer, probably 175 yards or so, maybe a little more. I didn't know that bear was there until I got home and looked at the footage. I was so focused on the deer that I just didn't see it, and got only a few short seconds of bear video before I was able to get the camera on the deer. Man, what a missed opportunity. I keep telling myself "how in the world could you miss seeing something as black and big as a bear." But, I let a black coyote get away from me one time, called practically right into my lap, so I guess this one isn't quite as bad. I probably won't sleep a wink tonight and will probably beat myself up for a long time over this one.

BearDeer.jpg
 
Look at it this way. The bear footage is an unexpected bonus. If you hadn't gotten it at all you'd NEVER have known that bear was there. What a stroke of luck to accidentally catch the bear on film.
 
Weasel, you're right about at least getting the video of the bear and not knowing if I didn't take some footage. Thanks for that positive comment.

Rpc55, what may appear to have been an awesome setup was actually a blunder. I began filming while moving the camera here and there on the tripod, trying to find the deer. I got probably 4-5 seconds worth of bear footage, but enough to see it and to extract a low-quality photo.

Recently I have been thinking what a treat it would be to get some bear footage, only to actually get some without knowing it. I'll probably not see it again, but who knows. I may even go back this evening and hope.

We have some trail camera photos of bear on the farm and generally get at least one photo each year, sometimes more. This bear appears to be a young one.
 
AWESOME photos, 6mm!

I think you need to change your name to "Barnsniper" now though... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Or maybe "Bob Lee '6-06' Swagger" /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif

thanks for sharing!
 
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