Wildlife Photographer Falls To His Death

DAVID BOYNTON was a teacher and photographer who thrilled in sharing his love of nature with his students.

But he fell to his death last week in an area his wife says was one of his favorite spots.

For the past 35 years he has been photographing Hawaii’s natural environment, with photographs appearing in dozens of local and national publications.

Sixty-one-year-old Boynton was reportedly hiking along a cliff trail on Kauai's Na Pali coast on Saturday. Friends called for help Sunday morning when he didn't return. Crews found his body about 300 ft. down at the base of the Kokee Falls.

Boynton has been a teacher for 36 years. Friends say he hiked regularly down the rugged Na Pali cliffs to photograph sea turtles on a remote beach. He was best known for his photography, which was featured in two books, "The Kaua'i Movie Book" and "Flowers: Images from Hawaii's Gardens."--AP

Backyard Bear Gives N.J. Woman A Scare

MAPLEWOOD, NJ--The last thing Lorraine Grossman expected to see as she gazed out the kitchen window of her daughter's home was a 211-pound bear.

"I was making a pot of coffee, and I turned around and there he was in the window looking at me," said Grossman. "For a minute I didn't realize there was a glass between him and me."

The scream Grossman let out was loud enough to startle the wandering bear, who turned tail and scurried some 40 ft. up a tree. More than 50 neighbors gathered to watch and the beast soon grew tired. As the bear gave a lazy yawn, the crowd cooed loudly in appreciation.

"He's really kind of cute," said Joanne Penaluna.

The bear remained wedged in a web of branches until it was shot with a tranquilizer dart . The bear hung on for 10 minutes before dropping neatly into a taut net set up below. The bear, a male estimated to be 2 or 3 years old, was released at a state wildlife-management area.

"It's not something you get to see every day," said Pete Samek, who hoisted his 5-year-old daughter, Lucy Rose, on his shoulders. "Bears falling out of trees." --AP

Money Authorized for Emegency Feeding of Wildlife

DENVER, CO -- With up to 2,000 deer and Pronghorn Sheep unable to find food because of a series of storms that left deep snow that hasn't melted, the Colorado Wildlife Commission authorized up to $160,000 for emergency feeding in southeastern Colorado.

An aerial survey found distressed animals in small clusters of 50 to 100 in a belt stretching from Burlington south to Lamar and west to Trinidad, Division of Wildlife southeast regional manager Dan Prenzlow said.

"Initially we were using food to lure animals away from highways, train tracks and haystacks," said Prenzlow. "Now we are feeding some of those same groups of animals that are struggling to survive because severe winter conditions have not loosened their grip in southeast Colorado."

Two December blizzards left drifts up to 10 ft. deep, covering watering holes, stranding drivers and isolating many farms and ranches.--AP