Lion and Ranger in South Africa

There is bear scat on my driveway and around my property. It is spring and my apple tree is beginning to fruit. A neighbor who noticed the bear traces suggested today that I might not want to sleep out on my screened-in porch. I sleep out there every night except in winter. I love it; I love the air, the stars, the owls, the sounds of the forest, the fireflies, the crickets. I wouldn’t even think of not sleeping out there, except now he asked me the question. I truly believe the bear wouldn’t want me, it wants apples and berries. I’ve had a bear look straight in through the screen at me and then walk away.

I got this e-mail today with several pictures of a ranger in South Africa being tender and friendly with lions, jaguars, hyenas, tigers and such – the uploaded photo here is one of them. I don’t want to be naive, but I really don’t want to live in fear of these creatures either. I’m sleeping outside.