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Roger Simmons
Roger Simmons

Birds, Words, Pics + TV

Went to Lake Eola to see swans; I didn’t expect to see a bear, too

Roger Simmons, June 4, 2023August 11, 2023

Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando is famous for being home to five different types of swans. On Sunday morning, it was also home to a very lost, young black bear.

My wife, son and I went to Lake Eola to walk around the lake and visit the weekly farmer’s market. Almost at the last minute, I decided to bring my camera to try to take pictures of the swans at the lake. As award-winning photographer and former colleague Red Huber has told me before, “always have a camera with you.” I’m so glad I had mine with me today.

Just as we rounded the corner of the park near busy Rosalind Avenue, we saw some Orlando Police officers taping off an area. We asked what was going on, and they said a bear was up in a tree.

That is definitely not something that happens frequently if ever at Orlando’s busy downtown park. And this was a really crowded weekend at the park, with lots of families, children and dogs walking around the lake.

With my Canon Rebel EOS T7 and my trusty Sigma 150-600mm long lens, I was able to get some good images of the poor bear. 

So, now I’ve now taken pictures of more than 100 different kinds of birds — and one wayward bear.

A young Black Bear hangs out in an oak tree at Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando on June 4, 2023.
A young Black Bear hangs out in an oak tree at Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando on June 4, 2023.
A young Black Bear hangs out in an oak tree at Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando on June 4, 2023.
Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando is famous for being home to five different types of swans. On Sunday morning, it was also home to a very lost, young black bear.

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