Sunnyhill Restoration Area: West Tract

Ever have a bear walk in front of you while your face is in the camera filming a turkey?
I slightly sensed something move, and expected maybe a deer. Oddly enough as the bear was walking away, scaring the turkey off, a deer did snort off to my side, so there was a lot going on. My focus was on the bear at this point. It didn't look directly at me. More like it looked across the path in front of me, then walked down the trail before me. Once it ducked off trail, I waited several minutes, as I had to continue down the trail behind it. Either that or go home. This part of the trail was the only access to the back half of the park.
Problem is, once I got going again, the bear came back out, and eventually started coming closer. At this point I had to make sure this rather large(for Florida) Black Bear was aware of my presence. It didn't like being interrupted. I could tell it didn't want to leave. It wanted to keep scenting the trees and bushes. So much so that it hissed at me before it gave up and headed off into the forest. I was a bit nervous about having to pass this spot again on the way out, but I knew how rare it was to see a bear, and having it happen twice in a day seemed really far fetched. I did not see the bear again.
I did see some other interesting things. There were woodpeckers, big oak trees, deer, palmettos, spiders, hawks, small birds, flowers, insects, the Ocklawaha River, and gopher tortoise dens. There were also road signs, which I guess explains why when I look at this property on google maps, it looks developed. The plans must have fallen through because nature has reclaimed where the roads would have gone.
Another thing I found odd was the ground was crunchy right off the bat. I normally start my hikes at sunrise and there's usually dew on the ground, making my steps much quieter than they are later in the day. Not the case this day.

[@BiaMartin_777]

That beautiful but big bear turning around and staring at you was scary. Lovely birds, flowers, deers, bees, butterflies,…Nice footages! 👏🏻😊👍🏻

[@AlafiaHiker]

Yeah, definitely made me nervous when it turned around. Great day in the woods though!

[@spellsforsale6871]

So interesting and I enjoyed reading your description! That was a big bear with his eyes on YOU! Glad everything went okay!

[@AlafiaHiker]

When I sensed something approaching, I was not expecting it to be a big black bear! Memorable day for sure.

[@hikewithmike4673]

Great capture of the black bear you remain remarkably calm! I had my bear encounter camping alone in the middle of the night in the Green Swamp you did the most important tactic for safety remaining calm that said after my bear encounter now I always carry bear spray!

[@AlafiaHiker]

Calm while my pulse doubled! lol. I need new bear spray. Mine's expired. It'll probably just ooze out if I ever need to pull the trigger. :/

[@hikewithmike4673]

@@AlafiaHiker use the expired spray to practice with but make sure it is not windy whenI I practiced with the expired can i got some windy blow back into me it was unpleasant for about 10 minutes

[@AlafiaHiker]

@@hikewithmike4673 Good idea.