Nice blond phase black bear. He looks to be a young bear, a two year old probably.

I've seen several colours of black bear - blond, black, cinnamon, chocolate (colour of a Cadbury milk chocolate bar), and a black with a purple tint (looked like a bad dye job).

The head/body proportions will usually give an indication of age up to a point. Small head/large body typically denote a good mature bear.

Cheers,

Alan Grombacher
RKCC-CMI-010