Bears in my yard...again

This is a new painting of three bears in my front yard.  I've titled it "Maggie" because of the dog standing near the red barn.  Maggie, as it turns out, is pretty smart, especially for a very nosey dog.  I've never known a dog so interested in absolutely everything but she knew better than to investigate the bears.  The mother bear was very aware of Maggie, standing at one point and staring right at her.  For some reason I wasn't particularly concerned but I did keep an eye on the dog from the side of the house, ready to grab her and dash in the house if I had to.

This is a watercolor and gouache painting, 11 x 14".  The painting itself and prints of the painting are available in my Etsy shop.  You can find them here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/222738890/watercolor-painting-original-maggie-dog
https://www.etsy.com/listing/221113089/art-print-original-watercolor-maggie-dog?ref=shop_home_active_1

What happens in my front yard

"Front Yard"

"Front Yard" detail

"Front Yard" detail

"Front Yard" detail

Black bears are one of the wonders around here.  My first spring I saw a mother and a cub walking up the ridge behind the house.  Everyone I told said the same thing: "Never get between a mother bear and her cub!"  I may be a city girl but seriously?  Since that first spring I've seen bears here and there, most recently a very large male standing next to the garage eying my thankfully oblivious dog who was goofing around in the driveway.

The bears that I've encountered seem relaxed and unfazed. Admittedly this happens at what feels like a safe distance although I'm sometimes close enough to get a good look.  They are large and dark and powerful & totally intriguing.   And very likely to run off at the sight of me.

Bear hunting is allowed here during a specified time.  I have a neighbor who killed one last fall and hung it from a tree right next to the road. Out for my morning run I glanced to the side and saw the bear hanging there.  I could have reached out and touched it.  I jumped a foot in the air and continued on, sad and unsettled.  

The painting is 6 x 6 inches (15 x 15 cm) on board.   
It's available in my Etsy shop.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/216295300/watercolor-painting-original-front-yard?ref=shop_home_active_1

Lucas Avenue

This is my house -- sort of.  I do live in a sweet eyebrow colonial in the woods.  I wish I had a wrought iron filigree gate.  And as for the attack rabbits guarding either side?   I ordered them from my favorite garden shop and they arrived broken.  Maybe I'll order them again in the spring.  They would be so much fun, don't you think?