Juliet and cubs in their snowy bed under a balsam - April 16, 2012With an 8-inch blizzard overnight, mothers with 3-month-old cubs have hunkered down and are working to keep cubs dry and warm. 9-year-old Juliet is bedded under the shelter of balsam fir in a dense thicket at the edge of a swamp. Her cubs spent the day mostly nestled in her fur—dry and playful. They ventured out from their furry shelter to wrestle from time to time. Juliet’s job is to lick them dry. Any flake that falls on them is licked off immediately. The cub’s dry fur demonstrates Juliet’s good work. Juliet’s own fur is wet on her back and sides from the rain and blizzard.
Jewel bedded near cedar - April 16, 20123-year-old Jewel is surrounded by cedars and balsams that provide shelter and safety. Cedars are easy for cubs to climb. Jewel is also wet and trying to keep her cubs dry but having a harder time.
Jewel's back is covered with snow - April 16, 2012Mothers with yearlings are not hunkered down as tightly but they’re conserving energy by not traveling when the meager existing food sources are covered by 8 inches of heavy snow.
Song Sparrow - April 16, 2012Birds that returned to warm conditions might wonder how winter returned in such a big way. The temperature stayed below freezing today, but the snow should mostly melt tomorrow with the temperature forecast to be 48F.
As the dark clouds retreated to the east, the sun shone briefly under the western edge and treated us to a glowing sunset.
We’re still glowing from the wonderful birthday party and good words from Saturday.
Thank you for all you do.
—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center