High fives all around!Jim and Bec trudged through a swamp this morning to reach Ursula and get her back on the map. We knew we were jeopardizing our chance for a win in the afternoon tug-of-war, but restoring the data stream was priority #1. They came back with stories to tell and were able to rest up a bit before heading off to the Bear Center.
NABC TeamWhat a joy to be among so many happy, dedicated people! The staff and Bear Educators who participated in the Halfway Birthday Party for the bears were really into it, fulfilling their challenges. Judy Thon went all in on her log walk and swim in the pond. 
WRI Team Behind it all were Lily Fans who donated over $5,600 to give the Hope Learning Center a boost. We thank the organizers who came up with a fun idea and made it happen. This includes the FUNdraiser Group, the Pond-Chatters and Pond-Chatter Mods, LTBB Facebook participants and the LTBB Mods, Team Forward, and the staff. 
Honey opens gift of grapesIt was an example of everyone pulling together, and we literally did that with the tug-of-war. Research won even though the Bear Center cheated by tickling.
Ted checks out a piñataThen it was half birthday presents for Ted and Honey who kept looking at each other hoping no stealing would start.
Next, it was Lucky’s turn. He grabbed one of the piñata bears and headed for the woods with it.
Lucky heads for woods with a piñataTed hadn’t seen Lynn for a while and he skipped food to greet Lynn. What a bear. Then Lynn explained to the visitors that we aren’t teaching people to go up to bears and kiss them, but that Ted was raised by loving people and he gives his musical friendly sound to people and likes contact. 
Ted's hind feet Extending the tongue with a kiss is the ultimate gesture of friendship in the bear world. That’s how Ted and Lucky started their years of play.
Painted turtle lays eggsLast night, a painted turtle dug a hole and laid eggs in it just 15 feet from the Research Center. The photo is near the end of laying, and you can see the hole nearly full of white eggs and about ready to be covered.
Thank you all for today. It was great to feel the excitement, see everyone’s dedicated work come together so greatly, and have Lily Fans show their support for the mission.
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.