Swimming bear surprises father and son on Sunday
STAFF REPORTS Gulf Breeze News news@gulfbreezenews.com

Special to the news A father and son took this picture of a small black bear swimming in Pensacola Bay Sunday.

A black bear interrupted a father and son fishing excursion on Father's Day.

Mike and Hank Baggett were fishing from a 22-foot bay boat around 11 a.m. June 17 when the elder Baggett noticed what he thought was a black Labrador swimming in Pensacola Bay.

Baggett said after moving closer it became obvious that the animal was a juvenile bear swimming toward the beach near Peake's Point. Baggett maneuvered his boat closer to the animal and began taking pictures with his cameraequipped cell phone. Baggett also caught the attention of another father and son fishing near by.

"It was awesome because I had my son with me," Baggett said of his unique experience. "[The other fisherman] was thrilled. We agreed that our kids would never see this again. It was a once in a lifetime sighting in the bay."

Baggett said the whole incident lasted about 20 to 25 minutes and ended when the bear jumped over a seawall and entered the nearby Peake's Point neighborhood.