Black bears seem to be on the move around Alabama

Patrick HIll / Auburn University

A trail camera captured a photo of a female bear with cubs, indicating a viable population is in that area.

When the photo popped up on my smartphone, I wasn’t sure what it was. Something was swimming in the south end of Mobile Bay, and I facetiously asked, “Killer whale?”

The reply came back, “Black bear.” I expanded the photo, and, yep, there was a telltale round, black ear. I knew this photo, taken by inshore fishing guide Patrick Hill, would go viral.