Here is the evidence ( photo / image / picture from Cayuga Morning's Garden ) I got up this morning to find our bird feeder cantilevered over our terrace, the feeders empty, but still intact. (Please excuse the disreputable beach umbrella in the background of the photos. I use it to protect transplants from too much sun.) More evidence ( photo / image / picture from Cayuga Morning's Garden ) Not to be deterred, a chickadee has its breakfast ( photo / image / picture from Cayuga Morning's Garden ) Husband looking for more evidence. ( photo / image / picture from Cayuga Morning's Garden )
The feeding signature of a Ursus Americanus. Big paw up, feeder down. Eat. Put reminder in notebook to revisit in the fall. Leave. Jerry
If that black post is hollow, I'd bet on a raccoon. They can weight up to 25 lbs. and that much weight on top of a pole could bend it over. If the post is solid steel, don't mess with whatever bent it!
Is your teenage son still around? If so... you can bet he didn't do it! I voted bear. But Jane made a good point about the pole being hollow or not.
Thanks everyone for your replies. The pole is hollow, but still thick: 1/8th inch. My husband & I tried to bend it back and couldn't. Maybe we should try laying on the ground and have me stand on it. If my weight can bend it back, that may give us a gauge re the weight of the creature that bent it.
I would say the bear, too. The raccoons tend to knock down the feeder itself not bend over the pole. Are there any foot prints in the area??? I don't think a 25# raccoon could bend that pole.
That same thing happened to my sister's feeder! They had a small bear destroying things in the neighborhood
In Iowa had some might Big coons. But doesn't bear mark where they was leaving claw scrapes?We had coons make big messes this spring.
Hi Frank, No, no marks on the pole. It is strange. My husband righted the pole and it took all his strength and weight (200 lb) to do it. And, we haven't had another episode since. Je ne sais pas! kozsta kid, Yes, I have heard that raccoons can be very destructive. They are quite bright and are pretty adept with their paws. I assume we have them in the area, but have not seen one. I guess they are nocturnal. I have trouble believing that one of more raccoons would have the necessary weight to bend our pole.
I'm so sorry for the destruction but am glad that you things straightened up again (pun intended!). We live in a very rural area and so we have all sorts of critters. Including bears. That was a bear, not a doubt in my mind. The raccoons visit us every night, they really do make me giggle, we buy them hard dog food, grapes and anything else we have left over. The raccoons, skunks and possums show up most nights. The bears don't usually come up on the patio.
WOW what a shot LynnD!!! That is one formidable bear! BTW, Welcome to Gardenstew! It is a great website for gardeners. Hope you like it.
