Velvetleaf blueberries
August 10, 2013Bears have a way of getting you to go places you never would otherwise. After failing to reach Ursula yesterday, Jim and Bec found her easily accessible today and changed her batteries. Along the way they found a huge patch of velvetleaf blueberries (Vaccinium myrtilloides) just reaching their peak. The fieldwork could wait. Those berries needed picking! This year, we don’t feel we are taking anything away from the local wildlife by picking berries. The bushes are loaded and many are simply dropping from the bushes uneaten.
Picking blueberriesJim and Bec left no road untraveled today as they searched for Aster’s telemetry signal. They were challenged but not deterred when they tried some new roads and found them blocked by downed trees—where there is a will there is a way. However, Aster’s signal was nowhere to be found. We’ll try again tomorrow morning. Hopefully she will have moved back into range.
Bear Center flowersIn her quiet way, Donna Rogers works wonders with the flowerbeds at the Bear Center. It’s a joy to drive by and see the riot of color throughout the summer. Thank you, Donna!
American GoldfinchThe prettiest bird out the window today was this American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis). The Ruby-throated Hummingbirds continue to keep us entertained.
Guy - August 10, 2013We saw questions about Guy and where he fits into Shadow’s Clan. He doesn’t. He immigrated into the area a few years ago and his calm demeanor around people made him a favorite. With his playful nature, he is a popular among bears, too, as you saw in last night’s update. We’re glad to see him again this year. 
Bear Center flowersHe is one of the bears that appears for a short time each summer and then disappears for almost a year. His face is relatively unscarred considering all the mating seasons he has been through. Guy is typical of the bears we see at the field station in that he’s comfortable here in this safe place but totally wary in the woods.
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.