Eagle on black iceWe photographed a Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) sitting on black ice this morning at 6:29 AM. At 6:16 PM, a very tired Common Loon (Gavia immer) and its more active mate sat in nearly the same spot on open water. About 75% of the ice melted on this summerlike day in the high 60’s.
Loons on Woods LakeAt the Bear Center today, the Field Course participants gathered to meet Ted, Lucky, and Honey. Lucky put on a show. Bear Curator Judy Thon had given Lucky a 10-foot carpet roll (cardboard tube) to play with, and Lucky knew how to turn the tube into fun. The participants watched and videoed as Lucky came splashing out of the pool to tackle the tube and turn it into a pretzel. The video is at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOEJxaP8f3w.
Lucky spots tubeThe 
Lucky runs to tubeField Course ended and the great group went their ways as we followed up on some loose ends. Field assistant Lorie Kennedy retrieved Star’s radio-collar from the flooded den we mentioned yesterday, and radio-located Dot. She then attempted to check on Jewel and family to see if Herbie was with them.
Lorie managed to get close to Jewel but never saw her or either yearling. Lorie is not well known to Jewel, and Jewel was not about to let her approach in the woods. 
Lucky turns tube into pretzelAs Lorie walked in on Jewel’s radio-signal, the strong signal told Lorie she was close. The signal circled around behind Lorie as Jewel undoubtedly checked Lorie’s back trail as is common. Then Jewel lined out away. She may have decided against trusting Lorie, but it began to rain and that may have helped Jewel make up her mind. Everything sounds like danger to a bear when it’s raining. We still don’t know if Herbie has rejoined the family..
Judy Thon congratulates Joseph JunekAt Ely Memorial High School this morning, Judy Thon presented the North American Bear Center’s Wildlife Scholorship to Joseph Junek who has a nearly 4.0 record. The $500 scholarship was made possible by a Lily Fan who donated the money specifically for that purpose.
More signs of spring in the last couple days are the first Common Merganser (Mergus merganser), first Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapillus), and…the first mosquito.
Thank you for all you do.
—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center
All photos taken today unless otherwise noted.