Another day spent sifting through the piles that tend to accumulate during the crazy-busy times. Certainly not the most exciting part of the work we do here—but necessary in order for us to get grounded and move forward. As we went through the piles we unearthed a multitude of cards with heartfelt comments as well as thoughtful handmade gifts—all from Lily fans. It filled us with gratitude for all that the last few years have brought to the NABC and the WRI, but we also felt regret knowing we weren’t always able to respond to things sent our way. Each night, when we write “Thank you for all you do,” we mean it more than those simple words can convey.
One of the best things to come out of the ‘Lily Phenomenon’ is the wonderful people—the people who have stepped forward to offer their help and those that have simply made lasting friendships through their interest in bears. It’s all wonderful! And some of these people have worked hard to put together a Volunteer Program which we will officially launch on March 1. The webpage is coming together nicely.
And speaking of volunteers… we are SO thankful for the Denwatchers on days like today. This wonderful group of volunteers is so dedicated that some have even offered to watch the archives to fill in some hours when there is no coverage. Such a good feeling!
A video of highlights from yesterday of Jewel and her cubs is posted at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epAVtnuJUJI .
Another 2005 walk with June is posted below.
Thank you for all you do.
—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center
Date: August 2, 2005
June eating hazelnuts - Aug 2, 2005I located June about 30 feet off the RR grade at the base of a huge 30+ DBH red pine. I noticed her standing and watching as I drove by. She came to me alone – I suspected (correctly) that her cubs were up the red pine. Because she came alone she got her scat-marker-laden marshmallows and nuts as well as the sunflower seeds I brought for the cubs. When the food was gone she was looking for more and did not turn away when I showed her my empty hands. I always make a show of holding up the empty nut bag then folding it and putting it in my pocket as I tell her the food is gone. It has become a routine and she has never bothered my pocket. Today she sniffed my pocket then pulled at it. She was easily deterred but then she began sniffing and pulling at my pack. I was uncomfortable with her behavior and chose to pepper-spray her. Perhaps I over-reacted but that was the choice I made.
June ran towards then past the red pine and off into the bushes. I began to follow and she quickly circled back and climbed the red pine her cubs were in – alternately huffing and tongue-clicking. She stood on the sturdy lower branches rubbing her eye and huffing. She then climbed higher to where the cubs were. She remained in the tree for just over 3 minutes before descending. She defecated then headed for a nearby wetland where she drank water and fed on water parsnip. She meandered around the area for 12 minutes before returning to the red pine. Fifteen minutes later Pete descended and June ran off with him at her heals. Moments later I caught up to them to find June nursing Pete but she leapt to her feet and headed off as I approached. Pete complained loudly as he followed her and I felt guilty for getting us off to such a bad start.
I caught up to June on the RR grade where she meandered and foraged for 46 minutes with only one cub. They fed on ant pupae, blueberries, raspberries and wild lettuce as they headed west – away from the red pine where George slept. Of note:
- June stood on 2 legs, held the tip of a red pine in her paws and bit a green cone. She left tooth marks in it but did not bite it off and chew it as I had seen her do on a previous walk.
- After foraging in the sun along the RR grade June went to the edge of a swamp and laid in a well-used wallow. Pete joined her there and fed on horsetail.
Notice how short June's coat is on Aug 2, 2005June left the RR grade and wandered around in a bog for another 35 minutes. She did almost no feeding – mostly meandering, standing, sitting, and listening intently. I expected to hear a cub bawl and was prepared to step aside quickly if June did an about-face to rush to her missing cub. What I didn’t expect was for George to calmly track us down – which is precisely what he did! One hour and 25 minutes after June left him in the red pine over half a mile away George rejoined the family.
Many thoughts went through my head during the time George was separated from the family. I thought about the many other bears I knew were in the area – including several huge males – that might be a threat to a young cub. I thought about how easy it would be for the family to be permanently separated in a state that allowed hound-hunting or the training of bear-hounds. I thought about how little I know about the bears’ world. Occasionally I have seen June very anxious and concerned about her cubs when they were dawdling – but she seemed pretty relaxed during this separation time. She very likely had assessed the dangers in the area and deemed it safe for her cub to travel alone. And she was likely well aware he was on his way long before I noticed his approach with the gentle snap of twigs behind me.
Once George rejoined the family June moved to the edge of a nearby cedar swamp where they rested and slept on the damp moss for an hour and 47 minutes. June then nursed the cubs. George is the smaller cub and he generally quits nursing sooner than his brother – and this was no exception. George quit nursing and groomed June’s ears while Pete continued to nurse. George was rather insistent about the grooming and actually held June’s head down when she tried to move.
The day was hot and sticky with temperatures in the upper 80s and high humidity. June and her cubs spent the afternoon working clear-cuts for blueberries and raspberries. Of note:
- The time between 12:11 PM and 3:12 PM was broken into 4 active foraging periods of 35, 24, 18 and 42 minutes in length. These periods of activity were interspersed with 3 rest (but not sleep) periods of 20, 20 and 23 minutes in length. Two of these rest breaks were in damp areas and one was in a balsam thicket.
- One rest break was in a wet area next to an over turned tree. The cubs had a grand time playing in the mud around the roots. June joined them in some swatting games. How many moms take their kids to a mud pot and not only let them play in it but join them in the fun?
- June pulled down an aspen sapling and ate a large fat smooth green caterpillar.
- June spent time during the balsam thicket rest break carefully grooming Pete.
- Again June and her cubs played hard in a springy bog – it seems to be a pattern.
- The cubs both climbed up a 20 foot tamarack in the bog which June then proceeded to climb and bend to shake them out.
- June found a bear scat that she sniffed intently – urinating while she sniffed.
After a brief nursing bout at 3:12 PM June began to work her way back to the RR grade. I suspected she would eventually head in to one of the homes she frequents – foraging on the way. She crossed Trygg Road alone at 4:28 PM headed for a feeding station. Her cubs continued to forage along the roadside for several more minutes before hurrying after her. Of note:
- June joined her cubs to feed in a particularly good patch of hazelnut for 13 minutes. The cubs found it and were already feeding when she arrived.
- Wild lettuce was readily eaten even though it no longer looks the least bit palatable. June eats only the large lower leaves along the stem of the older plants.
- June broke down a large old round-leaf dogwood bush to check the berries. I don’t think they have a chance of ripening now!
- June seemed very relaxed heading to the feeding station compared to the last time I walked in with her when she was frantically running back and forth to her cubs.