A favorite Chickadee Around 5 PM last evening, Lily moved about 200 yards to yet another new spot. Then about 5 PM this evening, she seemed to get restless, moving north, southwest, and then southeast. She's still on the move as we write this update and we're anxious to see where she settles this time.
Hunting seasons are open for grouse and deer (bow and arrow), and we wonder if the prime cutover upland habitat Lily and cubs have used the last couple weeks is also attractive to hunters. Despite her trust of researchers, she can be very elusive when it comes to people she doesn’t know. We wish we knew what made her move. If she has a den in that area she may be headed back. It’s almost time for Sue and her camera to spend a day sitting quietly with Lily and family. The cubs have grown. It’s late in the season. Inquiring minds want to know the latest.
One of Lynn’s favorite black-capped chickadees is this one with the white feather in its cap and a couple white dots by its eye. It’s very recognizable and often the first to land on a hand. Some ‘Trail of Terror’ volunteers extended their hands today, and this chickadee showed that it took more than a witch or goblin out of costume to scare it away. As we write this, the goblins and witches are suiting up for another night of fright—to everyone’s delight.
Thanks for the outpouring of support you are giving. With all we want to do for research and education, it's difficult to have this legal distraction. The public seems to be increasingly seeing through the “case” the DNR has been trying to build, and we believe the judge will see through it as well. We have no choice but to fight on and get back on track. Our attorneys seem well prepared at every turn. Meanwhile, the Hope Learning Center is moving closer to completion building-wise.
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.