Lake Tahoe Photographer Catches Black Bear Going for a Leisurely Swim in the Sun

Growing up in California, I was lucky to live within a few hours of many vacation destinations. We could go to the beach, the mountains, or the city, but my favorite place to visit with my family was Lake Tahoe. It was a rare place in the Golden State that experienced all four seasons, and the cozy feel of our family friend's cabin was irreplicable at home.

My favorite thing about Lake Tahoe, though, is the wildlife! There are plenty of deer, birds, chipmunks, and even coyotes to see, but my favorite sighting was a black bear that wandered through the woods across the street from the cabin. It was a special encounter for me, but for Lake Tahoe drone photographer Roland Schumann, it's a regular occurrence!

On October 27, though, Schumann spotted something unusual--a curious black bear going for a swim in the lake!

How cool! This bear is paddling around just like the thousands of tourists who visit Lake Tahoe every year--except this large mammal is warm enough to take a dip in the late autumn!

I know I'd be glued to this spot if I saw this while flying a drone, and I'm glad this Tahoe native felt the same way. He told KTVU, "I have lived in Tahoe for 12 years, and I do see wild bears frequently, but this is the first time I’ve seen one swimming."

It's not unusual to spot a black bear in the Lake Tahoe area, though it's less common to see them in a place where people are. Fortunately for the animals, though, autumn tends to be the off-season in Tahoe! It's not cold enough for snow yet, and it's certainly too cold for swimming and watersports. For bears like this one who are enjoying the last warm days before winter hibernation, the weather is perfect for a swim.

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