Juneberry flowersWarmth can make things grow. With temperatures in the 80’s (F) day after day, green-up is leaping ahead. Nearly all the trees and shrubs are leafing out—even big-toothed aspen. Big-toothed leaves are light greenish gray at first making them easy to pick out.
Black ash flowersBlack ash is in flower. In decades past, we saw bears climb up and eat black ash flowers. Three other bear food species are in bloom—Juneberry (Amelanchier sp.), Pincherry (Prunus pensylvanicus), and Early Sweet Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium).
With a flush of green plants emerging from the forest floor, homeowners who feed bears report they have not seen bears for the last 2 days. We suspect they are feeding on Large-leaved Aster (Aster Macrophylla).
Lucky watching HoneyAt the Bear Center, Honey is coming into estrus, and Lucky is keeping a close eye on her even though he is castrated. Would he defend her against Ted?
Big Harry - Aug 4, 2013Today we answered questions from reporters about the legal case, so we didn’t get out to check on Lily and her suitor. But we did compare the faces in last night’s pictures of Lily’s suitor with a picture of Big Harry taken last year on August 4. Both showed an unusual small growth on the outside corner of Big Harry’s lower left eyelid and a distinctively shaped angular scar next to his right eye near the bridge of his nose. It’s Harry all right, patiently doing his job in June’s territory where he’s supposed to be. (click here to see if you agree)
Big-toothed aspen leavesThe 69-page decision by the judge is at http://mn.gov/oah/images/2001-30915-rogers-report.pdf.
Our press release is at Rogers_-_May_27_2014_Press_Release-c-3.pdf. The last few sentences tell what we’re doing next—appealing.
We saw some of your good supportive comments. Thank you!
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.