Mama Bear

this is the mama bear that lives out in the open space behind the house.  well, in the thick of trees really.  i've spotted her three times now, twice alone and once with her two cubs.  she lives out near the fort, which is, needless to say, off limits for a while.  unless dad is with the kids, we need to respect her space.  we've heard from neighbors that she'll get more bold and head up into our front yard to the crabapple tree.  usually in october.  but with the drought here this year, the dept. of wildlife says probably earlier.  i keep thinking we'll be heading out to the hospital in labor in early october and be stuck 'cause she's sitting on the porch munching.