Black bears typically have two cubs; rarely, one or three.

In 2007, in northern New Hampshire , a black bear Sow gave birth to five healthy young.   There were two or three reports of sows with as many as four cubs, but five was, and is, extraordinary.

I learned of them shortly after they emerged from their den and set myself a goal of photographing all five cubs with their mom - no matter how much time and effort was involved.   I knew the trail they followed on a fairly regular basis, usually shortly before dark.   After spending nearly four hours a day, seven days a week, for six weeks, I had that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and photographed them.   I used the equivalent of a very fast film speed on my digital camera.   The print is properly focused and well exposed, with all six bears posing as if they were in a studio for a family portrait.

(Read on..)

I stayed in touch with other people who saw the bears during the summer and into the fall hunting season.   All six bears continued to thrive.

As time for hibernation approached, I found still more folks who had seen them, and everything remained OK.

I stayed away from the bears as I was concerned that they might become habituated to me, or to people in general, as approachable friends.   This could be dangerous for both man and animal.

After Halloween I received no further reports and could only hope the bears survived until they hibernated.

This spring, before the snow disappeared, all six bears came out of their den and wandered the same familiar territory they trekked in the spring of 2007.

I saw them before mid-April and dreamed nightly of taking another family portrait, an improbable second once-in-a-lifetime photograph.

On April 25, 2008 I achieved my dream a second time.

When something as magical as this happens between man and animal, Native Americans say, 'We have walked together in the shadow of a rainbow.'

And so it is with humility and great pleasure that I share these photos with you.

Sincerely, Tom Sears

Please click on start button on play bar below.

If you go down to the woods today
You're sure of a big surprise
If you go down to the woods today
You'd better go in disguise.

For every bear that ever there was
Will gather there for certain, because
Today's the day the Teddy Bears have their picnic.

Every Teddy Bear who's been good
Is sure of a treat today.
There's lots of marvelous things to eat
And wonderful games to play.

Beneath the trees where nobody sees
They'll hide and seek as long as they please
'Cause that's the way the Teddy Bears have their picnic.

If you go down to the woods today
You'd better not go alone
It's lovely down in the woods today
But safer to stay at home.
For every bear that ever there was
Will gather there for certain, because
Today's the day the Teddy Bears have their picnic.

Picnic time for Teddy Bears
The little Teddy Bears are having a lovely time today
Watch them, catch them unawares
And see them picnic on their holiday.

See them gaily gad about
They love to play and shout;
They never have any care;

At six o'clock their Mummies and Daddies,
Will take them home to bed,
Because they're tired little Teddy Bears.

Lyrics to the music The Teddy Bears' Picnic
written in 1933 by Jimmy Kennedy of Ireland

Music - The Teddy Bears’ Picnic
written in 1907 by John Bratton of the USA