Bears oh my
March 14, 2013 | Filed under: Stuff
So I was taking out the trash and came face to face with this.
We took one startled look at each other and decided … WTF!!! I turned tail and ran faster than I run when there are cookies on sale at Safeway, straight into the house and, because I love you, grabbed my camera and hit the deck.
The big bastard was still there, right there, eyeballing the trash I’d dropped. Except …
He wasn’t alone.
And then while I took a very big gulp and waved and said “hey guys, you take all the trash you want” … something happened. ANOTHER head popped up.
I offered them all of my cookies but they said no thanks, they were good with my trash, thank you very much. Apparently, we here at the Shalvis abode give very good trash.
I’m still trying to recover. It might be awhile …
p.s. I’ll be drawing names from today’s commenters, and giving away free books!
Posted by Jill @ 5:00 am | Make a Comment
Bailey Stewart says:
And they didn’t even make reservations? How rude ….
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 5:25 amCris says:
Y’know, as long as they’re not going for the cookies, it’s all good.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 5:29 amAnd this is why I love living in a city
MzKara says:
I probably wouldve hollered and scared all of us half to death. No idea how you had the presence of mind to grab a camera
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 5:32 amDaisy Dyrdahl-Roberts says:
Holy moley! We see deer all the time by my house, but I’ve never seen anything like that!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 5:45 amSuzanne says:
Yowza! That would freak me out! Of course the only wildlife I come across when taking out the trash is the lowly cockroach, or maybe a skink!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:00 amAshley says:
Oh my goodnessssss !
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:02 amJuhi says:
love your bear ‘experiences’ burt personally it would freak me out! although would love it if one of these incidents ended up in your book :p
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:03 amBeth Kaake says:
How awesome that you had triplets!! Apparently that momma needed your trash- LOL.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:03 amSarah Davey says:
Livin in Alaska this was almost the normal thing bears and moose!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:03 amMeghan says:
So glad you are okay! How scary! But really great pics!…maybe the bears might make a cameo in your next book? =P
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:03 amDenise says:
Wow when you say you live in the mountains you mean mountains. You are a braver woman than I would be.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:03 amMissy says:
Yikes! Scary but beautiful creatures, had one in my front yard once, not something I want to see on a daily basis.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:04 amRowan Worth says:
YIKES!! THAT will get the morning adrenaline moving, won’t it? Really glad you’re alive. *sigh* If you have pets or kids, I’d advise keeping them inside until 2017 or so. And staying in with them. Good luck!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:04 amKelly C. says:
Apparently it was a party and you weren’t invited…you were just the caterer.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:04 amAmanda Bordner says:
How you deal with all of this stuff, and TEENAGERS, on a daily basis is beyond me!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:05 amHeidi U says:
Keep frat boy safe from those big boys!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:05 amNadine Woods says:
Awesome!!!!! They look so friendly. Yeah right!!!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:05 amMichelle says:
and that is another reason why the men should be the ones to take the trash out! LOL
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:06 amAmy H says:
I am pretty sure that I would pee my pants!!! Lol!!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:06 amSarah dees says:
Oh my! What a site to see!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:06 amLisa Bullis says:
I am thinking they just want to be in one of your books!
It seems like they keep coming to see you.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:06 amJayme says:
I don’t know that I could have moved.. I think I would have been frozen in fear.. You are a brave woman to come back out and take pictures. Thank you
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:06 amconsuelo carpenter says:
I would have ran back inside !
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:06 amElizabeth Dodd says:
Wow! A trifecta of bears! Isn’t your life exciting?
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:06 amTerese B says:
WOW How awesome is that, good thing you can run fast LOL I hope the uninvited guests didn’t stick around for dessert!!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:07 amSue G. says:
Come on kids, party’s at the Shalvis’ house! She just brought out the food!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:07 amKristie Lippert says:
Holy crap!!!! I’m sure your adreneline was pumping, but we are thankful for the pictures and the commentary! Ha ha
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:07 amClare O'Beara says:
Wow did you have a busy day! All those visitors! They will definitely be back so you will have to make other arrangements for the trash and not put out bird seed either. . I thought bears hibernated?
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:07 amJenn Smith says:
I’m a country girl through and through. I was raised on a farm and still live on one but I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t leave my house if I lived where you live. Lol. Bears kinda freak me out.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:08 amSherry says:
Makes me glad we just have cute little groundhogs in our back yard!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:09 amDana Brown says:
They are beautiful once you’re back inside and safe! I love it. All I see at my house in Alabama are raccoons, possums and the occasional armadillo!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:09 amLeslie Carter says:
That’s a great story. Glad you made it back to safety.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:09 amcristie phillips says:
Always offer up trash….never your cookies. Banish the thought, cookies are sacred. Haha
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:09 amKarise E says:
Yikes, I’m glad you’re okay! And that your cookies are safe
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:09 amGetey says:
As long as you have the cookies and they have the trash, the world order has been maintained! Thanks for the morning smile!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:10 amSara G. says:
Wow, that is some scary scenery you have there. That’s not something I’d want to see every day. So glad Frat Boy didn’t go with you to take the trash out.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:11 amMonica K. says:
Even in the face of death you still have a great sense of humor, haha. Though it must be awesome to see bears like that, I only see them in zoos.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:12 amjan says:
Have never had a bear experience but did have a huge raccoon. Love that you recovered your composure long enough to snap pictures! Be glad today is man wars! Have a great day Jill. Thanks for my daily smile )
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:12 amAmy Reedy says:
OMG….I would have messed my pants…but then I would have probably offered them the trash on a silver platter with a doily on it, and said there’s plenty more where that came from since you seem to be multiplying like the palmetto bugs we have here in Florida….just sayin’
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:12 amHeather C says:
Oh my goodness!! I wouldn’t have had to pretend to play dead… I think I would have feinted right there on the spot! Good thing Frat Boy wasn’t outside. I know if my lab had been out, she would have run right up to bark at the bears!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:12 amCatherine Lee says:
Forget the books…I’ll take the cookies. I’ve been waiting for some of your favorite Christmas cookies for months! I’m glad that you (and the bears) are safe.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:13 amShawn says:
How scary, yet exciting! The only place I have seen bears are in the zoo.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:13 amRuth says:
Wow! Living in the suburbs of NYC I am always in awe of seeing deer, cannot imagine seeing bears.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:14 amSarah Fields says:
Beautiful. Scary, but still beautiful. Thanks for the pics!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:15 ammary hay says:
While deer hunting one year with my parents, one of my aunts was afraid of bears. So after everyone was asleep, she took all the flashlights and put them in her bedroll. That night a bear tore up the camp and woke everyone…except the one aunt who had all the lights!
That’s our family bear story.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:15 amBrenda Mistelske says:
OH WOW, So cool! and scary! So neat to seat animals in the wild and their so cute!!! I would have also ran and took my pictures from a safe distance
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:15 amLaura says:
Lions and tigers and bears OH MY. Where is that hero when you need him?
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:15 amAnn M. says:
So glad you are safe and sound. Yes, I agree, eat away on my trash but not me nor my family.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:15 amAngela Day says:
At least they were nice enough to pose for some pictures! I once crept up on a mama bear and her 2 cubs when we lived in MT in order to take pics. Hubby asked what I was going to do if she come after me. I told him he was meatier than me and I was faster than him so all was good!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:15 ammiki says:
i guess it can be frightening but man you are so lucky to have opportunity like that!
not everyone can says they saw a living free bear ( sverals even less)
thank you a lot for the giveaway too
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:16 amkp says:
forget your trash….we want your books!!! Smart Bear!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:16 amChristina Bradford says:
I don’t think I would be living there anymore if I had to deal with bears
. I’m guessing you must have some tasty looking trash 
.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:16 amBookLady says:
Wow! How exciting! Loved the pictures. Reminds me of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:17 amTina M says:
When we went to camp in the summer we would nail marshmallows on the side of a tree and watch the bears climb the side of the tree and eat them.. It was pretty cool to watch..
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:17 amMary W says:
I live in a city so I can’t even imagine taking my trash out to the sidewalk and encountering bears! I think I would have sreamed like a little girl and hid in the house the rest of the day. And of course, for the trauma, I would have eaten chocolate.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:17 amKris A says:
I love your bear posts. I think it would be so cool to live where you do. Want to trade?
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:17 amMelissa Hilles says:
I would love to see stuff like that. You are lucky
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:17 amBrianne K. says:
Big bastard! Lol
There have been bear sitings on my street here in MA, but I have yet to see one. I would love to wake up some morning and look outside and say “Holy crap, there’s a freaking bear out there!”
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:18 amHeather F. says:
Holy smokes! That’s cool and scary at the same time. That would not have been something I’d have liked to have encountered…glad you hightailed it inside! I do appreciate you taking the pics though!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:19 amNorma says:
I’m not sure I could take a picture of them, what with the pee running down my legs and all.
Scary stuff. But they sure are cute!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:19 amRhonda says:
I’m glad I don’t live where you live. Don’t know if I could handle seeing a bear, and not want to eat a whole container of ice cream!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:19 amJanhvi says:
Whoa! those look pretty scary but you’re luck to catch them like that
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:20 amdebK says:
Holy Hell!!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:20 amthat’s all i got….yikes!!
LauraR says:
time to start carrying the giant economy size bear repellent.all.the.time.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:20 amLinda Sieren says:
Wow! The exciting life you live must be the reason you write such awesome books!!
Thanks for sharing it with us!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:20 amDiana Robledo says:
I’m so glad they decided that your trash was good enough for a snack and saved you your cookies. Separating a gal from her cookies isn’t necessarily the wisest choice for man – or beast – to make. LOL I love reading your blog. Very witty!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:20 amTara says:
Lions, tigers, and BEARS- Oh my! Worst thing I run into when I take out our trash is the neighbors cat. But now you have me wondering if our family gives good trash?
Stay inside with the cookies!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:20 amJudy says:
Oh my is right! Good thing all they wanted was your garbage and not your cookies
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:22 amMelissa S says:
Wowza! No wonder you need Alpha Man in your life! Sure signs of Spring the bears are coming out to play! Hugs!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:22 amDonna Cromeans says:
Maybe they have mistaken you for their
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:22 amdear friend, Goldilocks!! Lol
april says:
Holy crap! Hope you had it on zoom.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:23 amKelly B says:
I would have high-tailed it too. You got some great photos. Where exactly do you live that you would have not just one bear but three in your yard?
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:23 amKristina says:
If I taken a picture it would have been real blurry from my hands shaking. I hope they appreciated your hospitality.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:23 amSandy Pochapin says:
OMG! I would have run too. Is that common to find bears that close to your home in your neighborhood? Scary sh*t!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:23 amJanet Pepsin says:
At least there was no Papa Bear, Goldilocks!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:24 amJessica C says:
Yikes! I sure am glad we don’t see your type of visitors in our yard first thing in the morning.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:24 amOlga says:
But they are so cute and beautiful
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:24 amCindy P says:
wow having bears in my backyard would terrify me. seems like as long as you leave them alone they will leave you alone tho.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:25 amErica H says:
I am not sure if I would be brave enough to get that close to bears!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:25 amLorelei B. says:
I think they got lost or have the wrong neighborhood, they must be looking for Virgin River or Lucky Harbor
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:26 amJessica L. says:
What great pictures. I know it must have been a bit scary but what a thrill it must have been. Glad you didn’t have to give up your cookies. They are one of the 4 major food groups.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:26 amMichelle James says:
OMG Jill. I think I would let them have the trash. I’ve been greeted by an alligator, raccoon, skunk (more than once), but NEVER by a bear, let alone three bears. You are really brave (or foolhardy) to go back out to snap a few pics of them. Have a great day.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:26 amLinda DeBauge says:
Huh. Three bears. Maybe you should look out for a little golden haired girl asleep with Frat Boy.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:27 amSabrina Robert says:
Hmmmm, you might want to check the sell by date on the cookies, if the bears are turning them down. Just saying
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:27 amKoren says:
You should have thrown them a Girl Scout!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:27 amCarol Opalinski says:
And I thought seeing the occasional deer or possum was exciting.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:28 amSusie Glatt says:
Jillylocks and the 3 bears!!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:28 amAly P says:
Oh dear god! I think I wouldn’t ever get out of the house if I lived where you do
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:28 amAnita Yancey says:
Oh my! I am glad you are all right and the bears didn’t get you. If I were you I would get someone else to take out the trash from now on.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:28 amAmanda S. says:
Wow, that’s both neat and terrifying all at once! Seeing one bear is enough to get your heart racing, but THREE? Quick thinking with the camera! They’re definitely some awesome shots.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:29 amAlicia says:
Better you than me:!:
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:29 amJessica Price says:
Oh my goodness!! How crazy!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:29 amSarah Christensen says:
I don’t know that I could live there. They look cuddly so I would probably get eaten within the first week or so.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:29 amShelli Huelsmann says:
I would have freaked out.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:30 amKathryn S. says:
As long as there was a window between me and the bears it would be okay for them to wander through the yard.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:30 amDonna Michaels says:
Just tell them Goldilocks doesn’t live here. lol Glad all is well.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:30 amKristine M. says:
I certainly would not have had the presence of mind to take pictures! Wow!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:31 amRobin B says:
Ya I think I would have had a heart attack right there and not been able to move.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:31 amDawn Rosser says:
That is some kind of scary!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:31 amTeri says:
I would be scared but also quite fascinated!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:31 amI would want to watch them (from a distance) and see what they do… Now go have a glass of wine!
MommaChaos says:
Ha! I love how you went back out after grabbing the camera to take pictures for us!
3 bears?? EEEK!!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:32 amCharlotte Bonham says:
Mama, someone threw my cookies in the trash.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:34 amCara says:
YOU RAN FROM BEARS?!?!? Holy cow. I love your photos and think you love in a beautiful place but not sure I could handle the random stumbles into the wild you experience.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:35 amJennifer says:
I’d love to spend a day in your life. It never seems boring
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:35 amSarahB says:
Wow! What an adventure, just taking out the trash!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:35 amPamela Hargraves says:
All I can is wow!!!! Glad you got the pictures and that you are safe. Now for a drink, maybe coffee, black! To match the bear of course!!!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:35 amwinnie says:
Can’t imagine what I’d do if it was me who encountered so many bears like this, even from a distance away…
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:36 amRoberta Peden says:
I cannot imagine what I’d do in that situation, but thinking of a camera, probably not, until later, when it was too late, good going.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:37 amKelly says:
Goldilocks in reverse?
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:37 amPaula Gardner says:
Wow, what a sight that must’ve been! We get rabbits and large birds, an occasional gator if one lives near a pond, but never a bear. Wow. They look so cute too. Hard to believe they can be dangerous.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:37 amVictoria Ramirez says:
Awesome pictures; not everyone gets a chance like that. But, it would have scared the pee out of me!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:38 amCasey Britton says:
Wow thats so cool! Glad you are ok, because id probably freak out! I like seeing them through pictures or zoo gates though! LOL
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:39 amActuallyAshley says:
Loved it! I know I would freak out if that happened to me, but it’s awesome that you saw them!!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:39 amDazy says:
Your trash must be juuuuust right.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:39 amSharon C says:
I wouldn’t want to be goldilocks right now
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:39 amTexas Book Lover says:
This might be mean to say but… better you than me! I’d be flippin’ the F*^k out and not not even considering giving them my cookies.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:40 amJennifer says:
We have had 1 bear in our yard (I live in CT), I can’t imagine having 3 in the yard at once!! I’m sure for awhile you will be looking in all directions before taking the trash out!! Have a great day!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:40 amSandy says:
You are a braver woman than me! My hands would have been shaking too badly to take those photos. Wow!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:40 amWanda says:
Awesome pictures even if you were frightened…
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:40 amjenn says:
oh my goodness they are cute!!!!! but stay safe… i think you should be letting alfa man take out the trash for a while
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:40 amJudy says:
“It’s almost Spring. We’re up and we’re hungry. Whatcha got for us to snack on?”
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:40 amIrvana says:
Teddyyyy… LOL I guess I wouldn’t call him (them) Teddy if I was the one that came face to face with them…
… But still I think they’re cute 
..
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:41 amSusan Parkes says:
I think I might of wet myself with the thought of 3 bears in my back garden. I think you we’re brave to go back out and take the pic, thank you. X
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:41 amGail Wegener says:
This is why in bear country you leave you trash in the garage. Only bring it out on pickup days or you will have Bear company all the time. I found that out living in Alaska. Good luck.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:43 amJill N says:
What a way to start your day. That’s exactly the reason my husband is in charge of taking the trash out.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:43 amJoanie says:
I dont’ know why but Charmin commercials run through my mind when I see your bear pics. Kudos for being able to run. I most likely would’ve fallen and had to crawl back inside.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:43 amMichele Masino says:
Hey we don’t want the trash. We were told there would be cookies along with a book signing…
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:44 amLeanna h says:
I will take the cookies if they don’t want them.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:44 amMary says:
We see bears quite often were I live and the one thing you DON’T want to do is get between the mother and her cubs. They are cute to watch from a distance. You will need to be watchful from now on but if you make plenty of noise (bang some pots) you won’t take the chance of startling mom and she will take her cubs away from damger.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:45 amsienny says:
i am speechless. if it was me, i probably just stand there, petrified in shock then screaming and run like hell
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:45 amLisa says:
I think that Alpha Man should start taking out the garbage while you watch him form inside the house while you eat the cookies
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:46 amJill Davis says:
Oh my. I would have peed my pants for sure. Yikes.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:47 amkaren says:
At least they didn’t want your girl scout cookies!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:47 amLorie Glowania says:
I love bears soo cute as much as I love your books
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:48 amMartha B says:
That is better than MY bear story when I was a camp counselor. On Day 1 of camp, in our orientation speech, we stressed that NO food was allowed in the tents because of bears. Two days later, a bear came wondering into our camp.
“Girls, did you remove ALL your food?” They assured me they had. Then one 8 year-old piped up and said, “We just squeezed mint-flavored toothpaste outside the tent to see if the bears would like it!”
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:48 amSydney West says:
When I was little, a lady that my mom worked with had a pet brown bear. The bears name was Kissy and she loved green grapes. No joke, there is a picture on my Facebook! So next time try grapes!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:49 amJersey Lou says:
No lions and tigers, huh?
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:49 amKerry says:
Everday is an adventure, just FYI I wouldnt give up the cookies-trash yes, cookies no
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:50 amcat matkovic says:
Wow!! Thankfully the most I get is a wayward deer in my yard..but I’m in a suburb, not exactly out where the bears roam! Glad too you didn’t take the dog out with you!
Scary, but gee, what great pics you got! Upside to everything I guess!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:51 amWilma Frana says:
What a beautiful sight. I would have been too scared to move.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:51 amJen P. says:
I would have had a puddle beneath me. The most wildlife I have are geese and ducks. However, there are days I wake up next to my man and thing, “BEAR!”.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:51 amKaren G. says:
OMG!!! Thank heaven you can think and run quickly! (And that the cookies are saved!
)
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:52 amJersey Lou says:
Actually, we get a lot of bears in the ‘burbs of North Jersey, believe it or not.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:53 amJean Sagarese says:
We get bears at work, lots of them, but yesterday someone saw a Bobcat and not a little one. All sorts of wild life here. We had a bear bring her cubs though our parking lot every day
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:54 amCrystal R. says:
Been there! Actually I locked myself out on the back porch with one in my backyard. Talk about a panic attack!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:54 amTeresa says:
Would have scared me. Guess they were hungry! Lol
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:54 amAngela says:
They have the trash you get the cookies sounds like a great deal to me!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:55 amLindsay says:
Never mess with a Mama Bear and her cubs! We had a bear come right up on the porch digging through the trash – talk about a site when opening the door! I will never not have a storm door again!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:55 amChristina says:
I love your stories, but I’m sorry they have to happen to you. I think it’d be awesome if you included some in your books future books.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:56 amJen C says:
It’s like the opposite of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:56 amMichelle says:
I’m pretty sure I would have been frozen in place. Not sure I would have been able to walk much less run! Crazy!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:57 amLynda says:
You would want to miss out on the photo op?
Did they leave a mess?
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:57 amBrenda Rumsey says:
I love being around nature, but this would be a little too close for me. LOL. You got some great pictures out of it. Smile.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:57 amLove your books.
Karen says:
Thank you for risking your life to get pictures for us!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:58 amMárcia says:
Wow you live an exciting life! xD
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:58 amMarcy Lautanen says:
I showed the pictures to my hubby and he said, “Bears are AWESOME!” And wasn’t it nice of them to clean up the trash like that. He added that I have very nice facebook friends! (This coming from a man without a facebook page who does not know what liking someone on facebook actually means!)
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:59 amAngie T says:
Dear Lord! I would’ve offered them the keys to my car if they would just leave. Bears are scary!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:59 amNancy Huddleston says:
So did you think you were in the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears?
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:59 amKristine Arnold says:
lions and tigers and bears……OH MY!!!!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:00 amCarol W says:
Wow! That’s why I try not to be the one taking out the trash!!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:00 amDonna Small says:
They look all snuggly…sort of like they want a hug from you!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:01 amPaula says:
I would’ve run for cover and snapped some great pictures looks like quite the adventure
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:01 amMichelle says:
That is very cool! It would totally freak me out, however, I think I would have done the same by taking pics. I was snorkeling in the Keys and was floating along and looked over and a barracuda was just floating beside me, all teeth, but I did snap a picture and then starting swimming for my life.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:01 amDonna says:
I would have told them to take the honey and run! Had the 3 bears, all you were missing was Goldilocks!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:02 amZina says:
Ok, Bears I’m thinking Northern Cal must be where you are. I’m from Northern Cal, the Redding area but I also lived in So Lake Tahoe and we had bears all the times getting in our garbage. Now I live in rural WV and we have bears out here too and yes they love trash. Before we moved here we lived in RI and we had bears out there too and they liked to cross the interstate to get to the golf course and get into the trash at the theater so they could have some nachos and popcorn too.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:02 amZ
Kate says:
Eeeeeeek! They’re adorable, but no thank you!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:05 amSharon Avinger says:
Holy petunias, Batgirl! You were so lucky to reach safety. Be careful. We need lots more books to enjoy from you in the future!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:05 amCindy P. says:
Okay, time to move
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:05 amJoan Woods says:
You were lucky you could run. I would have been frozen to the spot.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:06 amChris says:
Be careful, if you gave good trash, it will be like arnold…… they will be back
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:09 amLesley L. says:
Your experience reminds me of a scene in Robyn Carr’s Moonlight Road.
Did you have a gorgeous, hunky guy come help you? If I saw that in real life though, I’d probably move!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:10 amNorthwoman says:
AS much as it is frightening to have wild animals like bears in sight, or have a storm like a tornado, I find it exciting and I love it. Yeah, there’s probably something wrong with me there. Is it the same reason I love bad boys?
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:10 amGozde says:
Good neighbors taking your trash for u…:)))
where do you live again? 
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:10 amCora May says:
I prefer my city life with all my little geckos scurrying around.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:10 amCaprice M. Estelle says:
I grew up in New England. I am used to seeing deer in the backyard along with their baby fawns with wobbly legs. It was hard to see them try to survive with little food in the winter. I imagine mama bears trying to feed their little ones would be harder since their appetite is so much bigger. Enjoy seeing them, I know it was scary, but they are just trying to survive.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:10 amChris Bails says:
I would of hollared and then run. I live in the country and the first year we were here I came out one morning and had coyotes n my yard. Scared the heck out of me. I hollared, that was m first instinct. Thanks for the chance to win.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:11 amBrinda says:
Wow, scary. But those are some amazing pictures! How many people get to photograph bears?
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:12 amConnie N. says:
Really good picture of your neighbors!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:13 amStella (Ex Libris) says:
Oh my! Where do you live Jill, in the middle of the woods? But still, to have a whole group of bears in your backyard! Take care of your doggies and take a peek before venturing out!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:13 amVicki P says:
Yikes! I much prefer the five “teenage” deer that walked across our backyard last night during the snow flurries heading to nearby stream!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:14 amAnne says:
Holy crap! I’d be careful leaving Frat Boy out there alone just in case they show up again. I’d also look through the windows before venturing out myself, and even then, I’s cautiously stick out my head and look around just in case they’re hiding out of sight from inside. I bet your heart got a little impromptu stress test.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:17 amStacey Cotrufo says:
Kind of makes me a little grateful for the garden mole and tail-less squirrel that taunt me in my backyard!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:17 amLaura says:
Oh my granny! I’m guessing it must be spring. Those have got to be some hungry bears after hibernating.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:17 amDianne Clark says:
Wow! Beautiful but scary! I love your books and blog.your braver then I am!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:19 amJill O says:
I once stayed at a cabin where they left a little instruction book that contained, among other things, advice on how to deal with the bears in the area. It said, “do not look them in the eye” and “if you have one coming toward you speak to it in a calm yet stern voice letting it know that everything is ok and to leave you alone”. You can imagine all of the times we acted out how to sternly yet calmly speak to the big huge scary bear if we ever saw one! LOL! It gave us a lot of entertainment. Now, had we actually SEEN any bears, I have no idea how we would have handled it. That might not have been quite as amusing! The pics are awesome!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:19 amDanielle Bohlander says:
Wow. I am very happy that I do not have bears in my neighborhood.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:19 amBut that is such a wonderful view.
Yvonne says:
OMG!!! But being an animal lover and a fan of having them have ” conversations” , I would have done what you did. Go back and get a camera and talk to them and have them answer back !!! I never said I was normal
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:19 amBTW, great pictures. Would have loved to have seen them.
Traci says:
So have you found any lions and tigers lurking back there as well? Oh my!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:20 amSue says:
What an awesome experience. I live in the Adirondacks of NY and there are plenty of bears. The coolest thing I saw this year was a pine marten running through the snow. The one bear that came through our yard took our garbage and spread it through the woods. What a mess to clean up.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:21 amVanessa says:
Dude! I thought having raccoons ransack my trash was bad!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:21 amNora-Adrienne says:
Nice looking bear rugs… perambulating even. I can’t touch that, let alone top it. The best I can offer are the raccoons and deer that pass through my son’s upstate NY vacation home. He’s got 5 acres right across from the Shokan Reservoir which supplies NYC with water.
Oh, if I’m the lucky pick, be aware that I’ll be off line all next week… I’ll be sitting shiva for my mother.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:22 amRebecca Nufer says:
wow…who needs coffee at your house! Thanks for sharing all your exciting animal encounters! I always look forward to reading them…& thanks for the give-away…hope I win.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:22 amGina says:
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:26 amWell I’m sure THAT was more excitement than you expected! Had my own “encounter” once when I was a wee thing. I was standing outside a daycare waiting for the bus when what walks of the wooded area across the road but a GIANT black bear! I froze, ducked down behind the row of hedges separating us (because of course THAT would hold him back…*older self shakes head*) and stayed as quiet as a mouse. Luckily he was either full, or not interested and continued to meander into the backyard of the daycare. Once the coast seemed clear I high tailed it to the door and knocked my little heart out til the opened up…knew ducking was a better option since they were SO SLOW! Glad you helped feed the bears inadvertently and survived the great outdoors. ^_^
Steffi K says:
I would’ve been like holy crap myself if I were in your shoes but when it comes to babies popping up I’d relent just a bit
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:26 amCassie Polla says:
I think I would have had a heart attack!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:26 amHolly Doseck says:
One bear is bad enough…..but 2 more. Thanks for taking the pics and sharing…that is as close to bears as I want to get!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:27 amJanice says:
Wow. You are brave I would have ran back in the house and locked the door and closed all the blinds. LOL
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:27 amCrystal says:
Wow! I would have reacted the same way lol
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:27 amCarrie says:
Every once in a while I miss living a little further from town, but then I see pics and such like this, and…not so much. I’m liking my suburb just fine today.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:28 amKathy Rando Giannone says:
Oh my, my!!! Another bear encounter!!! THREE of them! Your trash must really be the best around.
Just let Alpha Man do the trash-taking-out from now on, & you stand guard with your camera, ready to “shoot” if necessary!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:28 amDebbie says:
oh my gosh!!!! Squirrels and stray cats are the only thing I run into in my neighborhood.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:28 amKathleen says:
So you barely escaped?
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:30 amVicki sandberg says:
They are so cute! Of course I am sitting on this side of the computer.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:32 amSandra says:
OUCH! Brings back memories of living in northern Minnesota for about 10 years!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:33 amElizabeth W says:
I love the fact that you felt you needed to document the fact that bears were in your trash. I do believe that my screams as I ran back in might have startled them and I would have missed the shot.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:34 amI thank you for the chance to enter the contest, but even more thank you for the laugh to start my day..
Thank God no pets were outside.
Karin Anderson says:
I had that encounter with a snake…but it was inside. Thankfully my sister doesn’t mind touching them – she threw it out the door.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:34 amDonna A says:
Beautiful pictures all for the cost of a little trash and about 10 years off your life. You deserve a cookie.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:35 amMarguerite Guinn says:
I have never come face to face with a bear, so I cannot imagine what that is like! And then for two more to pop up – WOW!
I don’t think I would have been able to sprint back to the house!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:35 amJeanette Hamlet says:
Hey Jill! I would have died had I saw that! Great pics though!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:36 amVivian says:
Hmm. Now, I’m having second thoughts in living countryside.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:37 amNorine says:
If they didn’t want the cookies, they didn’t deserve the trash!!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:38 amLaurie says:
That’s taking the Goldilocks thing a bit too far. I’d give them cookies, fish, snacks. LOL
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:38 amKathy M. says:
Bears come right into the city where I live. I guess they are just looking for some food. I haven’t seen any around my house yet and I’d be happy if it stayed that way.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:39 amKaren Pietrusinski says:
Wow, I have never saw bears that up close outside of a zoo. Wonderful pictures. What a surprise for sure. I live in the country and have seen deer and raccoons but never bears. Glad you safely got to the house. A memorable experience you are sure to remember for a long time.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:39 amKimh says:
Wow scary xiute bears nice pics thnaks
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:40 amNicole SG says:
Guess that trumps my raccoon looking in my sliding glass door as I went to let the dog out……
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:42 amKathleen McCluskey says:
when a writer named Jill,went outside with the trash, she met the 3bears Momma bear, Poppa bear and baby bear. She dropped the trash and ran away as fast as her legs would carry her.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:43 amPenny Foster says:
Awesome pictures! But geez, that would scare me to death! I wouldn’t have had the ability to do anything but shake, much less grab the camera! Great reaction time Jill! The most wildlife I see up close in my part of Maryland is a squirrel!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:44 amDeeDee L says:
Awesome that you went out and took pics. The dang camera would have been the furthest thing from my mind!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:47 amCheri says:
omg you need to take trash out fully armed!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:49 amJoanne says:
Holy Crap! I only worry that my mother-in-law will pop up when I’m taking out the trash
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:49 amKim Akers says:
I would have done exactly what you did, Jill. Ran like hell and once I was safely behind a door, grabbed a camera! Great pictures and I’m glad you are safe (but, sadly, not your trash).
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:49 amKathleenC says:
I know a little bit about bears showing up at your house. Back in ’90 I lived in Sunday River, Maine. The house had a daylight basement on the back side, deck above it that led into the main house. It was a rental, it was winter, and I hadn’t really noticed the ancient little apple orchard that had been planted down the backside of the hill on which we lived. Early one morning, I let my Doberman out the French doors on the deck that led down into the yard (no fences). Well, I tried to let her out, but she was having none of it. Her hackles went up, backed up into the house, stared out the floor-to-ceiling windows…at the apple tree that was 20 ft from the deck stairs. A pretty good sized black bear was out muching on what I later determined were last Autumn’s fallen apples. My dog finally started barking. When the bear heard the dog barking, it stood straight up, looked around, and took off for the tree line. For the remained of our time in Maine, that dog went out the French doors, stuck her head through the railing, barked five or six times, THEN proceeded down into the yard. Just to make sure. Smart dog.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:50 amKathleen O says:
Well at least they were kind bears and did not take your cookie stash.. I know I am not destined to live in the woods…
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:50 amJennyfromTexas says:
You and bears, oh my! Love it! And super glad you had the camera out when the bear’s friends came out to play.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:53 amCandice says:
Don’t you know your supposed to LICK your cookie wrappers so there is absolutely NO evidence of them left…? The bears look like they have a cookie crumb addiction that you are feeding. Just saying.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:54 amJackie G says:
OMG! Glad you made it back to your house safe. I would have screamed and run like crazy. Good thing the bears were occupied with your trash haha. nice photos.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:57 amTina Simpson says:
WTF! Is right! Wow! At least your slippers didn’t get stuck in the snow when you ran away! Thanks for sharing these amazing but scary creatures with us!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:57 amCandice says:
Haven’t you read your good friend Robyn Carrs Virgin River books? When you go to the out house (or to take out the trash) you either need a frying pan or a fog horn in your hand!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:59 amAshley M says:
Incredible pictures! I think I would have froze on the spot and been to petrified to even move. It would be weeks before someone came out to look for me, me being single and all, and by that time, the bears would be enjoying popsicle Ashley. These bears remind me of Robyn Carr’s Virgin River Series. The bears often make an appearance.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:59 amRandi Merideth says:
After seeing that, I would have then had to take out a bag with the clothes I was wearing!!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:00 amStacy H says:
Yikes! Would have freaked me out, and I wouldn’t go back out
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:00 amSusan Bruns says:
Beary cute blog today, Jill.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:00 amMichele says:
How nice of the bears to let you keep your cookies!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:01 amRobbie Bauldree says:
Love the story. I would just have gone back in the house and stayed there.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:02 amJenM says:
My parents lived in the mountains in New Mexico and used to get bears on their porch at least once or twice a year. The dog would go crazy barking, Mom would look out, and there would be a bear looking back at her.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:03 ammariska says:
Great pics and what a scary too
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:04 amLynn says:
I think I would have peed myself if I saw all of those guys!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:06 amLynn P says:
All I can say is WOW! A sight to behold.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:07 amnaoma says:
They are very tricky, aren’t they. Good thing you got out of there alive and in one piece to take pictures. I would’ve done the same thing.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:07 amBrendaE says:
Amazing how something that looks so cute, and appears so lumborous (is that a word?), can be so dangerous. I think I have to make some cookies now.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:09 amRandi says:
Are they the same kind of bears? One looks lighter than the others. Is it younger? I know nothing about bears…
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:10 amAlyssa C says:
definitely glad I don’t live near any bears. Good luck with you bear problem and be grateful they are satisfied with your trash you dot want them to come after your cookies next.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:10 amAmy P. says:
That would be scary . . . but it’s kind of awesome too. Glad you weren’t hurt and that you got to keep your cookies!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:12 amDonna Durnell says:
think i’ll stay in town — only dogs & cats to contend with.
but what beautiful pictures — I can fully enjoy the outdoors, and the creatures of the outdoor, through the pictures of others. thanks
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:12 amCateS says:
I guess winter is over?
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:13 amDiane D. says:
Wow! Papa Bear, Momma Bear and Baby Bear have pulled a Goldilocks!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:13 amRachelle Taylor says:
Beautiful sight, I think I would have ran too!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:13 amGanine M says:
Bears are pretty from a distance. I would have freaked out.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:13 amKim says:
I would totally freak out if they were that close to me.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:15 amLinda Kish says:
I wouldn’t want them in my backyard. I get possums that my dogs try to kill and that’s bad enough for me. And, I live in the middle of a housing tract.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:15 amwanda barefoot says:
What a beautiful sight but, Holy Cow!, coming face to face with a bear!! Thank you for being brave enough to take pics for us but you might not want to risk your life for picture evidence. Instead save the cookies!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:15 amKatie B. says:
Jeez! I wouldn’t have been brave enough to go back out there with the one and I surely wouldn’t have offered them my cookies either! lol Glad all you had to give up was your trash…. you were done with it already, right? lol
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:15 amRosemarie N says:
Oh my gosh, reminds me the time an elk decided to use our house as a scratching post. Scary. Now you really have hide the cookies.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:15 amJamie says:
I definitely like taking pictures, but I don’t know if I would’ve been brave enough to go back out there. I think after the first look I would have been inside hiding behind the curtain and peeking out hoping they leave.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:15 amNancy says:
There is something to be said for living in the great outdoors. Seems like it could be a scene from the Wilder series!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:17 amMelanie Reed says:
Oh my goodness. I can’t imagine running into a bear, let alone 3. I would have probably fainted instead of running. Of course, I can imagine what my 4 year old twins would be saying, “Go outside and take his picture!, Can we keep them?, I want to pet one!” Glad you and the cookies are safe.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:18 amKaron McCulloch says:
How much sitting in the lawn chair are you going to do in the near future with your bears back out of hibernation? Guess its time for Alpha to start taking out all the trash for awhile.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:19 amRonna D says:
Papa Bear said the trash was too hot. Mama Bear said the trash was too cold. But Baby Bear said the trash was just right! All the while Jillerella hid!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:21 amMelissa Madani says:
Free cookies? I totally would never pass on free cookies especially if they were girl scout cookies. Such silly wild bears
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:23 amDeb says:
Aren’t you glad all three of them didn’t pop up while you were out there with the trash?? I think even the first one would have caused me to need to change my clothes when I went back inside. After pics, of course.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:26 amErica P says:
Reading your blog always makes me realize I need more excitement in my life
lol but I’m not sure I would have been able to go back out and take pictures!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:27 amJustin says:
That is just crazy! I live in an area with plenty of deer and rabbits, but definitely no bears. I can’t imagine seeing an animal that large close up let alone 3 of them. Amazing and terrifying at the same time.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:27 amCarrie J. says:
Oh you know they were fans of yours, they just didnt do the best way of approaching you to get an autograph
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:30 amMonica says:
I know about the bears in the Sierras. I was doing and Outward Bound program many years ago. We were at a base camp when the bears came for a night visit to the trash cans. They made all kinds of noise but I missed them since I woke up after the noise stopped.
But then again I have slept through California earthquakes too. Love the pictures., they are awsome.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:31 amSammie Vinson says:
What a wake up call thanks for being brave and taking
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:33 amPictures to share…
Shirley Cochran says:
Wow! I would be in touch with the local wildlife department to make sure you know what to do about them coming back now that they have had a taste of your hospitality!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:34 amThuy Phan says:
Omg! That’s so cool and yet very terrifying. Great pics though
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:34 amTeresa says:
That is some scary stuff!! I would never get out you are one brave woman!! Thanks for all the entertainment I love it.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:35 amCarol Beaudoin says:
Thanks for sharing this with us and the photo! I’m glad you made it into the house in one piece. I can just hear your heart pounding, see your blood vessels dilating, your increased muscle tension and heart rate. Your amygdala behind your pituitary gland was working thank goodness! A good thing you chose flight and not fight response! You recovered beautifully enough to grab your camera, that was quick thinking!! You are an amazing woman, Jill!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:36 amCatherine says:
I’m from Chicagoso the only Bears I know wear protective padding! Too funny. I can’t imagine seeing a bear outside my house.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:37 amI live in Kentucky now so I see skunks, raccoons, beavers and even the occasional coyote or fox.
Patti O says:
OH-MY-GOSH!!! I don’t know how you cope with those “neighbors”! There being 3 of them, do you have another neighbor named Goldilocks
? Keep being careful!!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:39 amJan Staehle says:
WOW, who needs coffee with that wake up call!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:40 amAnnette says:
Great pictures. I live in a city, and there are deer, and raccoons, possums, and hawks all living right outside my door. If I saw bears when I took the trash out, I would eventually be one of those people on hoarders who could no longer walk through the house, climbing over empty cereal boxes but safe from bears. Of course when the stacks fell over and killed me, it would be a slow death but better than shredded by a bear.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:41 amNancy says:
Three cubs?! Adorable, but holy cow…Thanks for the picture!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:43 amlaminitagirl says:
OMG, WTF, anything else you can think of!! I jumped last night when I turned on the light in the bedroom and saw something crawling along the baseboard!! You may have to start locking your trash up in one of those “bear proof” containers! Good luck and hope I’m the lucky one for today in the giveaway. 
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:45 amPatsy Nelson says:
WOW
AMAZING PICTURES. YOU ARE MUCH BRAVER THAN I AM. SCARED ME JUST LOOKING AT THE PICTURES.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:45 amAJ says:
One bear, two bears, three bears … oh my! What a “right with nature” way to begin your day — and startling as well!
Thanks so much for grabbing your camera and sharing!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:46 amChelsea says:
Yeek! I would never leave my house if there was a chance of bears! I am sure you are getting (more) used to it, but still, I think every time would take a year off my life. And then my dogs (these little 10-15 pound rat terriers which have short person syndrome) would want to take them down. And that would just be sad 
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:46 amSilvia A says:
Whoa, I’m happy that my worst case scenario near the dumpster are naughty goose
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:54 amMarian says:
I would be so scared if I saw that many bears! (or even just 1 haha)
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:56 amKim Wyant says:
Wow! I wonder where the other two were when you were outside? YIKES! Thank goodness you had the trash which attracted their interest while you ran like the wind to go inside! Thanks for sharing.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:57 amTeri Perez says:
Wow – I would still be running! The big advantage of a fenced in back yard, even out where we live is the bears, deer, turkeys and fox stay on the other side of the fence! Great pictures!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:58 ampeggy c. says:
Oh goodness this would be a chore that i would let my mother -in -law do for me and see what happens in the end lol wow you must be somewhere where you have good skiing at least without the big bears
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:58 amIda says:
Jill, they just want a copy of your book, for their upcoming book club!
Have a great weekend ahead and Happy St PAtrick’s Day! 
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 9:00 amGinny LaMere says:
wow great pictures that must be some darn good trash you serve at your house
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 9:00 amCindy C. says:
I freaked out when there was an opossum in my garbage can. I can’t imagine the hysteria if I saw bears. I would definitely give them the cookies!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 9:00 amJanet R says:
That is only something I would want to see in the zoo….not in my back yard. Thanks for the pictures though…..Not sure I would have gone back out with a camera.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 9:01 amZ Any Mouse says:
Oh goodness! Well, I hope they at least cleaned up after themselves and left a good tip.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 9:02 amMonica Steele says:
That is crazy not sure what i would have done. but glad you made it back to the house..
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 9:06 amJohnyne says:
I am pretty sure you would be able to hear me screaming in other states! At least you still have your cookies!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 9:07 amMona K says:
Holy Cow Jill! I wouldn’t let Frat Boy out of the house…I for one thing would never go out by myself either. Very cute but from a very far distance…. I have seen fox, deer and many coyote in our backyard. Very true story…my husband took Blitzy out before he left for work and two yes two coyotes came at him…but my husband somehow got him inside before anything happened. We had an attack in the neighborhood. The coyote got a small dog and if it was not for the owners golden reterevier the dog would have died.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 9:08 amI had a scare once in Florida came across two alligators…I ran so fast how I didn’t fall is beyond me. It scared the living daylights out of me. I have no doubts that seeing those bears did to you. Take care, and thanks for sharing with all of us the beautiful nature. It reminds me of the book I’m reading of yours AT LAST….Forest Ranger Hot Buns telling Tough Girl too watch out for Bears…
Darlene Holley says:
wow I bet that was a scary experience. Seems like they have some pretty wild garbagemen up there in the Sierras!!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 9:10 amPatti Silva says:
I totally would have wet myself if i encountered that first thing in the AM….coffee or not!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 9:10 amSharon H says:
I bet they are wondering…”Do you have a drive-thru?”
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 9:11 amSigni S. says:
“NO KIDDING WTF”!!!! You sure lead/have a very unique and exciting life! But sure do appreciate what you do for your fans! Me? I would have frozen on the spot and then when my brain finally started functioning after about oh 2 seconds I would have ran so fast my shoes/boots would have to catch up on their own!! LOL!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 9:15 amDebi E says:
Wow!! I would have peep my pants which would then leave a scent so when I ran home, providing my legs would work, they could follow to my front door! At that point my “pack” of canines at home would go crazy thinking they could attack the bears. The four of these fierce canines total maybe 48 pounds in weight with three of the four only being calf height! I don’t know how you could have handled it!!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 9:17 amAshley Montgomery says:
Wow! I would be a nervous wreck. I remember one time when I was a kid, I was out walking the dog around our property, when I happened to look over at the neighbor’s and there was a cub eating from their apple tree. I started backing up slowly and we turned and ran like the wind back to the house. Needles to say, I’ve been more careful about stepping outside.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 9:18 amTraci P says:
Wow Jill! What a morning. Don’t think I would have gone back to get pictures!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 9:20 amKim says:
That would be too close for comfort.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 9:21 amAlison Creasy says:
I can’t wait to read the sky high series. Just read the blurb about the first one. Going to order it on my Nook when I get home.
I remember when I would come onto your blog and there would be about half the comments. Wow you’ve grown. I guess more people have discovered how witty you are. Congratulations on all your success!!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 9:26 amrenae says:
Wow! that would be very scary and awesome at the same time to watch from the safety of the house.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 9:28 amDanee H says:
I would have been too terrified to move!! ok. Maybe not but would of definitely wet my pants!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 9:28 amQuilt Lady says:
I sure am glad I don’t live in your neck of the woods. Bear are cool to look at but I don’t want to be around them.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 9:28 amAnn Marcano says:
As much as the picture is adorable, I think the closest I would want to get to all that cuteness is from the stuffed toy variety.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 9:31 amJanet Feagans says:
When my ex-husband was in the Air Force we spent some time in Alaska. The photos of the bears and snow bring back alot of memories. While we never had to deal too much with bears, we did have a moose looking in our windows one day.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 9:33 amKim Reisdorf says:
Ok as beautiful as they are i would not want to see them in my backyard. Holy moly.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 9:34 amCarolyn Walker Rhodes says:
WOW, that he turned into a she and with babies! Thank goodness you turned tail and ran or you might have been on the menu when it came to protecting her babies! I bet they all appreciated the trash though…
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 9:36 amPeggy R says:
Although I’m sure that you had the heck scared out of you, you’re very fortunate!! Not everyone gets to see bears in their backyard!! I would give anything to be able to see a bear family where I live!! Even though I’m living out in the country, I’m only able to see deer, raccoons, wild turkeys, and the usual wildlife, but to see a bear would be really impressive!! I’d set some food out for them every day, safely away from your house, so that you could feed them, yet take your garbage out without a problem!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 9:40 amBreanna says:
Hibernation’s not so bad. We could all use a giant ass nap and bonus? You get to wake up skinny just in time for swimsuit season.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 9:42 amKyraJ says:
Well thank Heavens you weren’t eaten! Man wars would have been sorely interrupted
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 9:43 amMarea says:
Well at least they were polite and refused the Girl Scout Cookies that I am sure you have socked away
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 9:43 amFedora says:
Oh my indeed, Jill! What a morning wake up!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 9:44 amWhitney says:
Never mind the bears, I wish I could still run like that. Guess you don’t have to work out either.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 9:44 amMichelle Heath says:
Ok.. I think I might freak out a little bit. I’ve never seen a bear myself, but my husband used to work at Arby’s in PA, and he says that the bears would raid their trash every night and drag it up the hill. Then the employees would have to go up the hill and drag the trash back down..
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 9:45 amDiane F. says:
I can’t imagine seeing bears when I’m taking out the trash. All I ever see are the burnouts that live in my building!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 9:46 amLee-Ellen says:
I think I’d give that “taking out the trash” job to someone else!!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 9:46 amSheila True says:
One man’s trash is another bears treasure.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 9:52 amBonnie K. says:
Loved this post. Glad you took some pictures. I can imagine how you felt.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 9:53 amAlina D says:
Well I’m sure they are grateful for all the wonderful trash you so kindly put out for them.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 9:55 amKelli Rolvaag says:
They’re so cute! But I, too, would freak out if I was standing close to them with a bag of garbage in my hand. We don’t have bears in my neighborhood, but there are occasional coyotes or foxes lurking.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 9:55 amCrystal says:
Holy fishpaste!! I have no idea how you leave the house ever with them around. I would barricade myself in lol glad you are ok though
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 9:55 amGina S. says:
I get scared just going to the zoo thinking one will escape. I don’t know how you’re able to live there without being scared all the time.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 10:06 amJoye says:
You had a beary-beary surprising day so far. Hope the rest of it goes well for you-I understand chocolate helps
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 10:09 amTeresa says:
Little bears ask momma bear why did auntie Jill drop our breakfast, and ran for. All e want was our gourmet breakfast that you that she will give us. Momma told little ones, I think we scare Jill for getting here to early. Little ones, Jill is offering us cookies, can wwe have some? No,remember it will spoil your breakfast. See Jill, the bears was coming for their breakfast that,you give them every morning; They didn’t want you, just morning breakfast. LOL!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 10:10 amiheartbigbooks says:
my goodness. do you guys throw away fresh wild fish or something?
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 10:11 amlaura dianis says:
Living here in a suburb of Chicago….. I have never seen a bear in person but I think it would freak me out. I would make my husband take out the trash…lol
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 10:12 amErika says:
OMG! Glad you had the sence to get out of there. I probably would have been frozen in place.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 10:14 amSuzy Wilson says:
I think I would have had a heart attack! You go girl, having the nerve to step back outside to snap pictures!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 10:15 ammelissa says:
Couple of shots and a lot of deep breathing for me to recover from seeing those three.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 10:22 amJudy S. says:
Wow. I don’t know if I could live somewhere that offers close encounters with bears. Good thing you ran when you did!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 10:23 amDiane/Anonym2857 says:
Better to run into them outside, rather than ransacking the kitchen,I suppose!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 10:24 amEileen says:
wow! Any DAY can be an adventure for you even with taking out the trash.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 10:26 amDhana B says:
You’ve suffered an unbearable morning! The only way to get past it is to consume ridiculous amounts of cookies washed down with GOOD coffee! I will stop complaining about finding an entire pack of coyotes in my barn yard forthwith!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 10:27 amCindie Gee says:
I think I would be needed a change of underwear…
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 10:29 amErin says:
I think I would have been bear bait because I’m pretty sure I would have passed out right there with the trash. I look forward to reading your blog everyday there is always something that just make you smile and laugh. Thanks Jill for that!!!! Have a great day!!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 10:32 amKaren says:
I live in the country but couldn’t imagine running into those three. Wow is all I can say. The fact you run in the house and grabbed a camera is beyond me.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 10:37 amSusan says:
Maybe if you put something gross in a cookie box as a decoy they will think you have nasty food and leave you alone. Works with a veggie bag full of treats at my house!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 10:38 amCandy Lind says:
I SO wish I lived somewhere that I could watch wildlife on a regular basis. I would sit there and watch them for hours … OR until a new episode of Man Wars launched!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 10:38 amSherrie says:
Holy smokes! At least they didn’t take the cookies! They cute though… Maybe more cute on the other side of your fence.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 10:39 amDeb Toor says:
I love how they “pawsed” while you snapped their picture.
I hope they don’t tell all their friends about the new Shalvis restaurant, featuring the best garbage specials in all the land. It would be unbearable to find more than three bears lurking around.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 10:39 amGlittergirl says:
Oh I love free books, especially YOURS
Enjoy your bears, lol: from the deck
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 10:40 amIn Oregon, Spring is coming upon us fast…I hope it rains soon–we’re 10″ behind and it’s kinda dry here, sigh
alexis says:
I would have been terrified to even move, especially if I kept seeing more heads popping up.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 10:44 amConnie says:
Love the pics of the bears. Sure wouldn’t want to be that close, though. Sure glad you had the trash for them. Enjoy the cookies!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 10:45 amLSUReader says:
You crazy kid–y’all have the most interesting wildlife in your backyard. All we ever get is birds and squirrels. Glad to see you’re such a nature girl.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 10:46 amJen D. says:
Cra-zy! I was gonna recommend offering picnic baskets, Yogi-style, but if they already turned down your cookies….
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 10:48 amMoran says:
OMG!
Great pictures and I’m sure it’s cool to get to see bears so close to you but I’ll pee my pants if something like that will ever happen to me
Maybe you should ask Alpha Man to take out the trash LOL
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 10:48 amDeb Z. says:
Yikes, and I scream when a raccoon pops out of our trash can!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 10:54 amMaryAnne says:
Here in north FL it isn’t unusual to find a bear up a tree in someone’s backyard. To the west of the city is a preserve and then forest. We also get a wild large feline every once in a while too. But I don’t relish finding your kinda ‘friends’ when I put out the garbage, no matter what. Hope your armed – just in case they want more than your cookies!!!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 10:56 amJudy says:
Wow…they are so cute (obviously in my town we don’t have bears)! LOL
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 11:04 amKrystal R says:
I always thoughtni was a country girl coming from a small town in Arizona, but I have never encountered a bear close up, or any other type of wildlife for that matter. Thanks for going back and taking pictures and sharing your story. It would seem that even the mundane chores of your life are exciting.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 11:04 amLiz T. says:
I would have peed my pants. This is why I could never live where you live.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 11:07 amCarla says:
Where I used to live they would make announcements over the local station of a bear, in the mall – so that we were not greeted going back to our car with packages. I was amazed by them, but the fear in me would overcome any fascination – for we were immediately in their territory and were the invaders. There were also quite a bit of large dangerous cats.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 11:09 amPeggy Johnson PJ says:
Jill I could BEAR-ly contain my laughter (at work
) reading this. Great pictures!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 11:10 amTina R says:
I’m sure it will take some time to calm from that experience. I was walking out my front door and heard this horrible scraping on the tree about 10 feet in front of me. I ran back in the house, looked out the door and saw a family of 5 raccoons watching me. I wanted to take a picture of them to show people, but I was afraid the flash in the dark would scare them and they would try to attack. I would look out my door at night inspecting everywhere before I stepped outside for almost 3 weeks.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 11:17 amElizabeth Mazurski says:
I don’t think I would have been brave enough to run back out there again. LOL
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 11:21 amWendy says:
That is not something i’ve ever seen around here… holland is kind of small that way…
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 11:22 amcheryl c. says:
I love your bear stories. I am just glad it’s you, and not me!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 11:26 amStacey says:
Ack! Bears!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 11:26 amLisa Smith says:
Holy Bear Batman!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 11:30 amCheryl says:
Holey Moley…that’s quite a sight!! Wonder is Goldilocks is checking out the porridge and beds at their house
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 11:33 amKaren M says:
Wow!! I’d freak out if I had to worry about Bears when I take the garbage out!! It’s bad enough I come across a skunk or two!! Deer, on the other hand are a wonderful , common occurrence here. Peaceful, and no running away involved! Thanks for your bravery & the pics!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 11:34 amEmily B. says:
Saw one when I visited Alaska once and it scared me to death!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 11:39 amIRT says:
Oh my gosh!!! I would have run back to the house too. And I bet you were really surprised to see three bears, instead of just one. Thanks for the pictures, but be safe!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 11:40 amDonna M says:
Last night we had a 4.6 earthquake!! Not the same as a wild creature but does “shake” one up a bit!!!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 11:40 amCindy Bettendorf says:
They probably came to the conclusion that they should “go scare that writer gal” again. Think of them as an oreo stack with a blonde oreo in the middle.
Once we get a real spring here, the flying squirrels will be out again. Love to watch them, but not so much when they almost smack you in the face mid-flight.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 11:45 amLin Johnson says:
I think I might have needed to change my pants if I had seen that in my front yard, lol. Is is normal for brown bears and black bears to co-mingle like that?
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 11:50 amCarolyn A. says:
OMG! That’s just a little too outdoorsy for me. I live in the suburbs of Boston and thank goodness all we have raiding the trash is racoons!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 11:51 amIvy says:
Can’t do that rural…That’s one of those times you move so fast it’s almost as if you had wings. Stay safe!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 11:56 amteresa c. says:
I dont know how you do it..I walk with a cane so my big butt would be a bear dinner before I could run away from them…lol And don’t offer them your cookies..you need them and they have all that garbage…
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 11:56 amTawnya Bentley says:
If it had been me I would have been washing out my underwear and pants, possibly socks. Why are they out with snow still on the ground????
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 12:02 pmMoira says:
Didn’t anyone ever tell you if you keep feeding them they are gonna come back!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 12:03 pmAlicia Jespersen says:
Hahahahaha those silly bears! I have never seen a bear in real life. I guess I should come stay with you hahahahaha ha. But really I’d love to go to Yellowstone again and get the chance to see a bear.
Thanks for the chance to win! I absolutely love your books!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 12:06 pmBarbara says:
I’m sure it would have frightened me so bad that I would not have thought to get the camera to make pictures. I have to admit the bears in the snow make beautiful pictures!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 12:08 pmChristine says:
I love your stories. I swear but for bad luck, you would have none at all.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 12:12 pmSandie says:
Thank goodness you are okay and thankful you keep your camera handy. Where do you live that you’ve got the critters so close to you? I would have been crying by the time I stepped inside the house I’m afraid…
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 12:15 pmLisa Guertin says:
How scary. A few years ago my MIL was home alone and a bear climbed the stairs to their deck and tried the door handle. They live in NC at the top of a mountain and have lever handles. Thank goodness she had all the doors locked or she would have had some interesting company!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 12:16 pmMichelle Ratledge says:
Given how often you run into bears and other wildlife, I’m surprised you haven’t convinced Alpha Man to move…
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 12:19 pmLin Johnson says:
If your daughter had been out there you would have had Goldielocks and the three bears, lol.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 12:23 pmAndrew Grigaliunas says:
Oh my!!! That must have been very scary!!! I would definitely stay indoors! Have a great weekend!!!!
–Drew
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 12:23 pmandrew(dot)g(underscore)2013(at)yahoo(dot)com
Julia - Yen says:
I never encounter a bear before, but I’m sure I be running like stupid, yelling and scare, people would thought I’m crazy… *shudder*!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 12:25 pmKari M says:
It’s the reverse of Goldilocks!!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 12:27 pmcatslady says:
That is one big Mother!!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 12:32 pmJessica M says:
Wow, that’s crazy! That sounds so scary! I’d be afraid to go outside if I were you!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 12:32 pmChristina Garner says:
Good lordy! I would have had heart attack. Glad you are safe!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 12:35 pmKelly says:
Oh my gosh! I would have screamed and stood stock still if that had been me!! You guys must have some really good trash to draw that much attention
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 12:36 pmMolly Kuxhaus says:
Part of me wants to see a bear up close (or even two or three), but then I start to wonder what would happen if the bear decides he wants to wrestle me. I don’t have any bear wrestling skills. If the bear looked like the guy from Arrow, I’d probably give it a shot, though.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 12:39 pmTrishD says:
How cute! I am sure they are just fans looking for autographs!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 12:41 pmReadsalot81 says:
Holy smokes Jill! I think I’d have wet my pants if I saw that many bears near me!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 12:55 pmMelissa Traniello says:
I probably would have peed myself if I saw that!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 1:00 pmPatricia Aman says:
I posted this on FaceBook I think, but…….I think those pictures are awesome. I think this looks like something one of your heroines would face while the hero is out hunting bear or something.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 1:00 pmKelly says:
You’re a much braver woman than I am. I would have taken the pics from inside, looking out the window, maybe even from behind the curtain.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 1:02 pmLinda Y says:
Cookies are great comfort food. So glad that you got to keep them! As for the bears, they are way cute! At least, from the safety of the house…
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 1:13 pmAlexa Woodin says:
I have a pet black bear, but he’s a cat named Bear and he looks as cute as the bears, but his teeth aren’t as sharp as theirs. Still the bears and my Bear are so cute, wish I could pet them!!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 1:15 pmTracey S says:
Oh. My. Gosh. I would never leave the house again. Until I ran out of cookies. Lol.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 1:24 pmKelly S says:
Aw, teddy bears. So snugly.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 1:26 pmRobin says:
That would have scared me so bad that I wouldn’t have thought to take pictures. I’m glad you took pictures.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 1:28 pmSamantha Cudworth says:
I would be moving lol
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 1:29 pmJanieC says:
They’re cute, but I wouldn’t know what to do if I encountered them.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 1:31 pmSue says:
Wow! You must have some good trash!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 1:37 pmJenn says:
Wow I probably would have run screaming but I may not have been smart enough to take pictures.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 1:40 pmTsuki says:
What an encounter…
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 1:41 pmJudy F says:
I love your bear stories
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 1:42 pmStacey F says:
The three little bears…..are you goldy locks? I do suggest letting the man take out the trash from now on!!!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 1:52 pmLaura Humble says:
I was stung by a very mean scorpion last night, and I thought I had it bad! Taking out the trash and seeing not two but three bears, well lets just say I’d probably pee my pants! Keep up the amazing writing!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 2:12 pmAutumn Sherwood says:
Oh gosh! I know someone who called 911 because there was just one bear outside. LOL. Couldn’t imagine four!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 2:17 pmAutumn Sherwood says:
And by four, I mean three. I can’t count today. (:
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 2:20 pmJessS says:
Oh my god. Okay I’ve never seen bears in real life and would’ve so freaked out. I’m very impressed you offered them cookies instead
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 2:27 pmmonica t. says:
Love that you have big girl balls to take these pictures and others like them. Simply Fascinating. Any Forest Rangers named Smoky to help you out there JIll? Just asking but would love to know the answer.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 2:34 pmJennifer Grimm says:
What no Girl Scout Cookies???
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 2:38 pmJackieW says:
Isn’t nature wonderful? I read where you arn’t suppose to run from bears but make yourself into a ball on the ground. Guess you forgot, huh? But then that might be what people who don’t really live near bears tell the rest of us to do. Glad you are safe.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 2:38 pmShirley W. says:
Sure glad you were so alert. Please take care next time you take the trash. Nature is beautiful, but very dangerous at times….
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 2:59 pmsandy haber says:
Nice to know that it’s not happening only in New England!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 3:01 pmJudith says:
Oh gosh, lovely pictures! I am glad you took them, because I love all wildlife animals, and now that our bears friends are coming out of hibernation, you know you will see them a few times again, I am pretty sure.
Here at my place, I already saw racoons, (I love them, and themselves, the racoons, they do love my peanuts lol), but I enjoy their visits very much. They are now regulars at my home since quite a few years now.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 3:09 pmThanks again for sharing these lovely pictures!
Deb Diem says:
They didn’t want your trash. They were looking for a book.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 3:10 pmRachel says:
I have a cabinte full of girl scout cookies if you need a box or three to regroup with!! Eek!!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 3:12 pmLaurel Skoog says:
That’s one of the reasons I live safely in suburbia…I have both country and city living relatives who think I’m crazy (or boring) but I’m happy with my happy medium (and no bears going through my trash)
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 3:12 pmShirley Smuda says:
It’s amazing the things that happen to you girl, your life is more interesting than anything on TV! Thanks for sharing…
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 3:15 pmJane Squires says:
You need to secure your trash so they cannot get in it. As long as they know where to get food, they will keep returning. Be sure and secure your trash from them if you do not want a child or grandchild to get hurt. When we lived at a resort, we were always told this as bears were around there. I never saw any. I have seen a couple here in Ozarks but not near my house. Be careful.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 3:20 pmPlease enter me.
Karen Schmidt says:
Thanks for thinking of your readers and going back out to get the pictures. They are beautiful but dangerous animals that’s for sure. Hope your BP is back to normal by now. You really lead an exciting life out there.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 3:34 pmMelissa Ringsted says:
Holy cow!!! Or bears I should say. I’m thankful you were able to get away … how scary!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 3:35 pmJill Gehrmann says:
Love the pictures!! Reminds me of my college days – our campus was next to a wildlife area and we would see bears occasionally. Even though campus security told us never to run or scream, I failed those directions every time!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 3:36 pmLori Meehan says:
You are too funny. I love your blog.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 3:52 pmKathy Nelson says:
Should we start calling you Goldilocks!! I opened the front door the other morning to a yard full of deer….not quite as scary as bears but equally unnerving!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 3:54 pmRobin D says:
Oh my indeed I would be so nervous to get that kind of company
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 4:10 pmRhonda says:
What a surprise that would have been. Thanks for thinking of us and grabbing the camera!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 4:10 pmJacqui Robertson says:
We have coyotes in the Mid-west; I will pass on anything bigger and more dangerous.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 4:11 pmSummer says:
Am I mistaken, or are they not supposed to be hibernating right now????? Did they not get the memo??? Thanks for the cool pictures taken safely from your deck…you’re the best!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 4:11 pmPat Powers says:
Wow…..Great Pics!! Biggest I see is deer. And I still get excited. its the city girl in me!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 4:15 pmLove your books!!
chey says:
Those bears look a little too close for comfort. I think the bears here are still asleep.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 4:17 pmKathy Johnson says:
Great photos! The first one would have scared me to death I probably could not go out for a week.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 4:20 pmSHELLEY SUMMERS says:
WHAT CUTE PICTURES! WOULD LOVE TO WIN YOUR GIVEAWAY! THANKS!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 4:25 pmEmma says:
Great pictures!you should ask Alpha Man to take out the trash. I have bears at my house too. thank you for the chance to enter the contest.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 4:28 pmJen B. says:
Now see, I always thought I would see bears when I went hiking but NO I just needed to go to bear country and put out some trash. I would still be shaking in my boots if I saw that.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 4:32 pmLiz says:
No Way. Freaky, but waaaaay kool. I just finished reading one of your books with a bear in it. Coinsideaky?
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 4:34 pmKara says:
I think seeing those four heads will wake you up quicker than any cup of coffee Starbucks can brew!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 4:36 pmNikki H says:
Those are great pictures! I would have been shaking like a little girl. Maybe crying like a little boy.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 4:38 pmcait045 says:
Wow thats crazy amazing/freaky scary!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 4:43 pmAda H says:
WOW! Scary but cool to have an early run-in with not one but 3 bears. Hmmm, wonder if they’re looking for pies in your trash,since it’s Pi Day (March 14, 3.14 = Pi)! Do let us know when you have more interesting visitors visit you, Jill.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 4:44 pmannalisa says:
What an experience! I’d be petrified if I came across any bears! Awesome pictures.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 4:48 pmSusan T. says:
1 bear oh my, but 3 is a mighty OMFG! I would like to think I’ll run but I more than likely would have frozen in place.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 4:48 pmCatherine E. says:
I just hope you were snapping those pictures from the safety of your nice warm house. And you promptly grabbed a bottle of wine, a bottle opener, and a glass.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 4:55 pmAnita says:
OMG, I’ll be the one screaming and running away as fast as I can. Although that might not be a safe thing to do?? You always have interesting things happen to you,thanks for sharing. Always enjoy your blog!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 5:02 pmWendy says:
Eek! And I thought the skunk in my backyard was bad.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 5:22 pmCassidy says:
OMG! If I ever saw bears like that, I would literally run away screaming! Hahaha Luckily, I live where you don’t see them everyday.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 5:31 pmLor Raines says:
Those bears look scary!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 5:32 pmMarcy says:
Yikes! At least you got your exercise over with. Bring on the cookies!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 5:41 pmSue Peace says:
OMG!!! I would have grabbed my camera too! You deserve some cookies now!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 5:44 pmChristina says:
Man Wars, Bear pics, and a give away. I love Thursdays!!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:18 pmLinda says:
I’m always envious of your mountain views, but bears are pretty scary, so I’ll let you keep those.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:19 pmMaureen says:
Great scary pictures! Thanks for the giveaway!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:20 pmMarianne says:
Where is Alpha Man when you need him?!?!?!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:25 pmCarrie says:
How could they turn down cookies???
I’m glad you made it back to your house safely
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:28 pmHeather G. says:
Wow!
I’d have ran too! Up close scary but far away beautiful.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:30 pmJanet Lewis says:
Definitely not the most relaxing way to start the morning, so please forgive me for seeing the humor in your description of the event.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:38 pmWith your talent for humor, this would most definitely make a great scene in a story. Since I’m currently reading “Simply Irresistible”, I can certainly picture Maddie, the “Mouse” in this scene.
Seriously, glad you’re ok.
Jill says:
And my mom thinks she lives in ‘the wlld’ when chipmunks show up on her porch
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 6:39 pmCharlene says:
Wow! I guess it wouldn’t help to tell them that they should be sleeping!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:06 pmChristina says:
This is why I will not go sit in a tree with my husband!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:06 pmKai W. says:
I would have slowly back back to the house with the trash and wait for them to leave. I know as soon as I’m safely back in the house, I will be petrified with hypertension. I would need to calm myself down.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:08 pmRachel C. says:
I think I would have stayed completely frozen…or done a really bad impersonation of a bear! They are beautiful creatures but definitely prefer them from far away!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:17 pmDiana says:
Your bear stories are always a hoot.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:22 pmEileen A-W says:
I love your bear stories. Just glad it’s you and not me. I hope you ate a few cookies to calm yourself. Thanks for sharing the pictures.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:25 pmLinda Mabe says:
That is so cool!!!! I would not take any trash out at night tho…
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:25 pmAllison W says:
3 bears… OH MY!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:26 pmMegan says:
That’s amazing! I would love to be able to sit in my deck and watch nature. However I wouldn’t be to fond of it sneaking up on me catching me unawares. Absolutely beautiful though!
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:30 pmajdean says:
wow you are very popular today. i’m number 466. ok next time get alpha man to do the rubbish after all it is a mans job.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:55 pmKimberly P says:
Wow! They beat the heck out of the herds of deer and flocks of pheasants I have been encountering lately… I hope they are satisfied with one bag of trash…
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 7:58 pmPat Cochran says:
Good grief, Jill! I’d never be able to
run fast enough, they would be chomping
on tubby little me!
Pat C.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 8:07 pmGladysMP says:
Boy, what an experience; but is great that you had a camera to record that once in a lifetime experience. Those bears must have been hungry.
Posted on March 14th, 2013 at 10:20 pmLa Bookchic' says:
You’re invading their space and they WANT it back!!
Posted on March 15th, 2013 at 3:39 amLori Allman says:
So beautiful!
Posted on March 15th, 2013 at 4:07 amJackie Turner says:
Yikes!!!! Thanks so much for the photos though. They’re awesome!
Posted on March 15th, 2013 at 4:44 amSusan Ann Wall says:
SCARY!! When my hubby worked nights, I heard a bear getting into our dumpster and realized all the windows in the basement (right near the dumpster) were open. I slammed the door to hopefully scare the bear off, then called hubby at work while I closed the windows…just in case I got mauled, he’d bear witness over the phone!
Posted on March 15th, 2013 at 6:57 amKerry Croucier says:
oh my! Three? Yikes!
Posted on March 15th, 2013 at 7:01 amC Philson says:
So nice of you to provide them with some yummy treats- that momma has a lot of mouths to feed!
Posted on March 15th, 2013 at 7:31 amHeather B says:
Apparently when Goldilocks left the house of the three bears, she ate all their food.
Posted on March 15th, 2013 at 11:16 amMaria Rios says:
OMG AND WTF, just about covers it. You brave woman, I envy you the view but the critters you can keep. One of looks like he might’ve not been too happy with just the trash. Heck, I’ll even take the house full of teenagers.
Posted on March 15th, 2013 at 1:16 pmLorieB says:
The wildlife I see are the stray cats that find it necessary to spray my back door! Soldier on!
Posted on March 15th, 2013 at 1:44 pmLena says:
One was bad enough. Three! I’d have barricaded myself in the house and not even thought of pictures until I had calmed down. Maybe after a few days. The first day of Spring is Wednesday right?
Posted on March 15th, 2013 at 2:04 pmSuzanne says:
Yikes.
Posted on March 15th, 2013 at 3:21 pmSandy says:
Omg…scary!
Posted on March 15th, 2013 at 3:29 pmPamela Clawson says:
Can not imagine seeing a bear, we only see Deer and Turkey. You are brave!!!!!
Posted on March 15th, 2013 at 4:45 pmPaige says:
Oh gosh! What cool pictures, though I would totally freak!
Posted on March 15th, 2013 at 5:29 pmElise S. says:
You’re making me never want to vacation in the Tahoe area again.
Posted on March 15th, 2013 at 10:29 pmbn100 says:
interesting pics
Posted on March 16th, 2013 at 12:47 amTawnya says:
Living in the Northwoods (NW WI) I’m used to seeing wildlife like that. Though…that IS a pretty big bear. I think I’d probably freak out and offer all my cookies too if it surprised me in my own yard.
Posted on March 16th, 2013 at 8:53 amAngel says:
At least they wern’t GRIZZLY BEARS like I get in my back yard!They are cute though bigger tahn our black bears.
Posted on March 16th, 2013 at 4:30 pmColleen says:
Awesome! But glad I wasn’t the one up close and personal with those bears!!!
Posted on March 17th, 2013 at 2:51 pmAlexis B says:
Cute but I’d be running for my life…none of that stand very still crap or play dead that they always tell you to do if you encounter a bear! lol
Posted on March 18th, 2013 at 12:25 pmMelisha B. says:
For that WTF beautiful and yet scary moment and for having the presence of mind to think of snapping pictures for us you deserve a whole package of cookies! They’re beautiful from afar but I think I would’ve had a heart attack. Lol
Posted on March 19th, 2013 at 12:15 pmLinda Trzaskoma says:
GET OUT! (The Amityville Horror)
Posted on March 20th, 2013 at 6:20 am