The North American Black Bear (Ursus americanus) despite their name, occurs in a variety of colors. Those in the Rocky Mountains frequently (as depicted in the foreground) show a "cinnamon" (reddish brown) phase. Our most common species, black bears inhabit not only wilderness (particularly forests) areas, but will venture into suburbs, small towns, and even large cities in search of food, often raiding dumpsters and backyards for food. Obligate omnivores, black bears eat pretty much whatever is available: plants, honey, insects, small mammals and birds, carrion (as well as discarded food) and occasionally livestock. Feeding bears in parks is ill-advised, as that causes them to lose fear of people, becoming bolder and more aggressive!!

A standoff between a Louisiana Black Bear (Ursus americanus luteolus) and an American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), each waiting for the other to make the next (and possibly last?) move...

Exhibited at Fall Art Show -- 10/3-10/19/25 "For the Beauty of the Earth" at The 1910 Gallery at All Saints Church.

The Kodiak is the largest subspecies of Brown Bear (Ursus arctos), rivaling the Polar Bear (Ursus maritimitus) in size. Found on Kodiak and some adjacent (nearby) islands, this bear attributes its enormous size (to 10' long, 1500 lbs.) to the abundance of Sockeye and other salmon species, which the bears catch when the fish are spawning.

The Kermode's, aka "Spirit" Bear (for its ghostly white fur) is actually a leucistic (near-albino) subspecies of the North American Black Bear (Ursus americanus) and is found only in the Pacific coastal (temperate) rain forest of western British Columbia.

In memory of "DelaBear", the (North American) Black Bear (Ursus americanus) that was wandering around Wilmington recently until struck and killed by a passing car. One of my repeat customers commissioned this painting, then donated it to the Delaware Museum of Nature & Science (in Wilmington, DE.

Inspired by a visit to the Bronx Zoo last month (on 9/7).

The setting (background) for this is Yosemite* National Park, including Hal Dome peak (between the bear and the fallen pine tree) and Bridalveil Falls..  * Actually the indigenous (Indian) name for the grizzlies in that area.

American

Eurasian (Old World) Bears of Europe and Asia

Mixed Media (ink, watercolor, tempera)

Prehistoric Bear

Eurasian (Old World) Bears of Europe and Asia

Eurasian (Old World) Bears of Europe and Asia

Eurasian (Old World) Bears of Europe and Asia

Eurasian (Old World) Bears of Europe and Asia

American

North American

North American

American

North American