As of this moment, we believe all the radio-collared bears are safe with some question about Colleen. We can’t find her signal, but we’re not worried because that’s not unusual considering the remoteness of her territory.
Donna hasn’t shown up yet, but we’re still hoping to see her again before she goes to den.
June has moved away from the rock den she was near yesterday and to an area where she has access to mountain ash berries. A video of June busily marking trees on Sept 9 has been posted at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZdiy-peZpE.
Juliet left the bed where she rested for 2 days and has moved deeper into her territory.
We believe all is well with the bears as we come to the end of the second weekend of bear hunting. Most of the kills are during the first two weeks, especially during the first two weekends.
With all the bears safe, as far as we knew, Lynn took time to spend time with his wife Donna. The early mornings and late evenings mean little time together. He was missing her, and they took a pontoon ride with the volunteers and Sue to see wildlife—eagles, loons, vultures, and almost bears! Motoring slowly along a wild part of the shoreline, we heard a large animal bolt off through the brush. We suspected a bear. Checking the GPS locations, it indeed was Lily, Hope, and Faith. A fitting coincidence. After the tension of the past two weeks, the outing on the lake was a relaxing time. When it was over, no one wanted to get off the boat. Everyone has been getting up before 5 AM and going to bed between 10 PM and midnight. It was nice to relax together and do something completely different.
Back at the Research Cabin we had a moment of silence for the 9-11 victims and then a great meal of your food. Thank you again.
Outside Ely, smoke from the Pagami forest fire billowed against the blue sky. Started by lightning on August 18, it has burned about 7 square miles and was burning strong today in the wind with temperatures in the mid-80’s. The same drought that has shriveled the berries has made the forest vulnerable to fire. Fortunately rain is in the forecast.
Bears are finding some berries, though, especially mountain ash berries—the last berry to ripen. We’re beginning to see alder leaves in the scats now. This is typically the last food bears eat around here before going into dens, and no one knows why.
Thank you for all you do.
—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center