The rangers call him Earl and this whopper bear weighs about 600 lbs.

From our wildlife friend Ben Shrader who has been conducting a photo count of big game and predator wildlife along the Appalachian Trail:

“I have completed the AT camera project for the year. It will be a while before a report is made but from my perspective, Jennings Creek Cove Mountain to Thunder Ridge, I saw more bears, bobcats, and coyotes than last year. The first bobcat is special to us because my son and I were there watching the bobcat when the camera flashed it near the Peaks. The big one is Earl as named by the park rangers, they estimate him to exceed 600 pounds, this photo comes from Thunder Ridge just on the Rockbridge Co. side. I cannot say if that is a spotted skunk nor have I gotten an official opinion. Spotted skunks that I have seen had more white.” More pictures here.

Do you have nature photos from Botetourt? You can share at news@botetourtview.com