Face to Face With My Power Animal: A Meeting of Souls

The teenage girls from next door called me on the land line with their serious voice:

“There’s a bear out by the trampoline.”

I didn’t hesitate, that’s my cue to spring into action with grace and stealth silence.

I grabbed my trusty iPhone — already set to video, zoomed in just a bit — ready to capture what I’ve been privileged to witness before. The bears visit here often. This land is as much theirs as it is mine, maybe more.

But each time they appear, it’s never just a visit.
It’s a message.
A presence.
A shift.

This time, I saw only her hindquarters as she ran into the canyon heading toward the house. I listened — tuning to her movement. For a mid-sized teenage bear, she moved lightly, heading toward the garage where the trash is kept. Bears often open the garage door, drawn to the buffet of bags waiting to go to the dump. Brandy had just done a dump run an hour earlier.

I scurried — light as a dancer in my slip-on shoes — following the sound of her forest walk I raced with the wind running parallel to the sound of her. I came down the path on far side of the garage that leads into the canyon.

And there she was. Coming up, lured by the familiar scents of the garage, its door fully opened from having been cleaned out.

I froze — not from fear, but knowing from experience, any movement will scare away wildlife, and filled with awe. Emanating gratitude.  When wildlife appears in any form, it is a gift, especially if you’re a photographer and lover of wildlife.

She stood before me. And I stood before her.

Quickly, but calmly, I raised my phone and zoomed in. We shared a glorious 8 seconds of eye contact.

No thoughts. No words. Only wonder.

She felt my appreciation. I know she did. Because in that brief communion, our meeting wasn’t about trash or territory. She looked a little disappointed when she turned her head —  she had fully expected a garage luncheon — but what she received instead was a soul experience. And so did I.

The bear has long been one of my power animals. I’ve followed many through the woods with a camera — always at a distance, always with reverence. This moment was different. This was a gift.

Nature doesn’t just pass through.
She teaches.
And when we meet her with reverence, we begin to understand her language.

📽️ You can catch a glimpse of this visit in the 8-second Short Video I posted — just long enough to feel the bear’s energy.

Have you ever had a wild animal appear when your soul needed it most?
I’d love to hear your story below. These moments are more than encounters — they’re invitations.

With wild love,
Avea
Caretaker of the Pines, Listener of the Creek

🐾 Want more wild encounters and soulful reflections?
Visit my YouTube channel for nature videos, animal wisdom, and glimpses of the magic that surrounds us.
[Watch on YouTube →] https://www.youtube.com/@aveguevara