When I say bears, I mean four of them. They took turns. The mess took me days and a power washer to clean up.

We have them in our garden often, I’m always glad to see them. They nest at end in some tall trees, as do squirrels and magpies. There’s an annual contest for the nest/drey left from the previous year.

But yeah, they know you.

Back when I was doing field work in Utah, in the Canyonlands, I discovered a Raven’s nest on a cliff near my campsite. I’d hang out there, just listening to their calls. They talked. About me. I always left a bit of food. I’d come back a year later and I swear they remembered me. The last time I was there, the male dropped a feather at my feet. I still have it.

Covids are smart and sentient.