Shadow waits for Victor We can count on the bears to let us know the state of wild foods. Whenever there is a lull between wild food crops, bears are more apt to visit the community feeding stations. Bears were at the WRI most of last night, which may mean sleepless nights for the Bear Course participants when courses begin later this month.
Holly listensEarly this afternoon, Shadow and Victor arrived at the WRI together, evidently ‘an item.’ She was following him, and we believe females have a lot to say about who they mate with. Interestingly, Shadow waited patiently while Victor foraged at a feeder. Usually, it is the male who waits while the female eats.
HoneyTwenty-seven-year-old matriarch Shadow has not been a frequent visitor to the WRI in the past. We know of no other bear with so many descendents. Lily has not come much in the past, either, but she also has already been here twice this year. Victor has been a regular visitor over the years, and is one of the most handsome bears with his light, well-marked face. Shadow’s cubs might be particularly handsome next year. Victor himself has lost some of his glamour as mating battles took their toll.
White-tailed deerAt this moment, though, Lily, Aster, Jewel, and Juliet are all off in the woods.
At the Bear Center, love is in the air. Honey waits by Ted’s pen when it’s his turn to be penned up so Lucky can be out. She spurns Lucky who is persistent despite being castrated a year ago. He continues to scent mark.
Painted turtle - June 8Yesterday, we saw the first painted turtle on land away from water looking for a place to lay eggs.
Pileated Woodpeckers - June 8The Pileated Woodpeckers continue to take turns incubating. Yesterday, Jim Stroner and Lynn were talking on the front porch when the change took place. The female landed by the nest without calling first. Within seconds, the male exited and she entered at 12:03 PM. This evening at 7:47 PM, we heard a call, grabbed a camera, and got to the window in time to see the male fly in to take over incubating duties overnight, as is usual.
Lynn took this afternoon off to spend time with his wife Donna on their 35th anniversary. They splurged at a take-out restaurant and drove around Lynn’s old study area. Seeing a deer in the area where Lynn and Donna walked with study deer back in 1979 brought back a lot of good memories.
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.