Black Bear, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Approximately 300-500 black bears (Ursus americanus) live in Shenandoah National Park, making it one of the most densely populated areas for black bears in North America. This bear was ambling through the woods near Big Meadows in late autumn when he sat down and yawned several times appearing to be ready for winter hibernation. In the fall months, black bears spend 16-20 hours per day foraging for food, such as plants, insect larvae, nuts, acorns, and berries. During the winter, bears will occasionally arise from their hibernation and move around during warm spells.