June's cubs up white pineJim Stroner checked on June and family again. Juneberries were big in the diet. The cubs heard Jim coming and took refuge up a white pine as is typical. We found earlier that 92% of the beds of mothers in our old study area were at the bases of white pines. Also as is typical, the cubs went up a white pine with a split top (likely due to blister rust earlier in the life of the pine) that creates a nice place for the cubs to play and sleep in comfort.
June walks by broken-down juneberryFor the rest of us, it was another day of preparation, doing paper work. We stayed in while poor Jim got caught in the rain.
At the Bear Center yesterday, Judy Thon saw Ted afflicted by biting bugs. She bought four bags of cedar mulch. Those watching online saw what happened. Ted was delighted, then Honey, then Lucky. They rubbed their heads in the cedar among other things. 
Ted rolls in cedar chips
July 13, 2013Judy then put a pile of it in Ted’s chalet den where he likes to lay his head, hoping the cedar would protect him while he sleeps. We’re thankful for Judy. She arrives each morning a little after 6 AM to give Ted his arthritis medicine. He doesn’t like his medicine, so it is a challenge each day to hide it in his food and make sure he eats it all. It’s time-consuming, which is why she has to arrive so early before other activities start. Thank you, Judy.
And thank you all for all you are doing in so many ways to help the research continue.
—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center
All photos taken today unless otherwise noted.