Are these mating bears?

[woodman]

I have a question for those more knowledgeable than me. I am trying to learn as much as I can about these bears. I am photographing and videoing quite a few bears now and have seen different activities by them. The photograph that I have here shows two adult bears, one black and one brown. I believe that I have a video of the black one scratching her back on a tree that is in this photograph a few days ago. In the video she has two half grown cubs with her. I know that bears are not a herd animal and have been told that a bear scratching their back on a tree is for marking for mating. I just wonder if you guys think this is a meeting for mating since the cubs are nowhere around and there are two full grown bears together. I have other pics from this encounter and the brown bear stays close to her then leaves back into the swamp. I sure would like to get a pic or video of the act of making new cubs in the wild.

Do you know if it is even mating season right now?

[Wea300mag]

I would say yes, it is that time of year. Here is a cute couple from two years ago.

[woodman]

I would say yes, it is that time of year. Here is a cute couple from two years ago.

Thanks for your quick response. I find it interesting that the time of year is so close together even though the years are different.

[carpsniperg2]

I would say it sure looks like a boar and a sow. Not just a older cub hanging out with mom. I would sat there is a good chance they could be together to breed.

[fillthefreezer]

jim has told me mating season is quickly approaching. last year i got a bull calf mid act on my cam