HoneyA varied day. At the Bear Center, the Black Bear Field Course participants remarked how different the coats were on Lucky and Honey. Lucky’s coat has shed out and has been replaced by sleek fur, while Honey has shed mainly on her face and still has her bulky winter coat on her back and sides. As a result, she pants a lot.
LuckyOn the pontoon ride, one thing after another caught our interest. First we passed a lagoon covered with beautiful Fragrant White Water Lilies. Then Common Loons preened and swam next to the boat as if we weren’t there.
Farther on, a Common Merganser in non-breeding plumage tried to outdistance us as we drifted along the shoreline.
Monkey-flowerIn a shadowed place, a spot of sun highlighted a Monkey-flower (Mimulus ringens) against dark water, making it too stunning to pass up for a picture.
In the shallows, we saw big large-mouthed bass and small fish of many kinds, plus basking painted turtles, a perched adult bald eagle, etc.
LoonWe were able to complete the series of face pictures identifying RC’s cubs, including the third one, which we didn’t get yesterday.
White Water LilyThe day was action packed with bears and nature shared with group participants brought together by their interest in nature, including bears. All are ardent Lily Fans, which means we quickly all felt like we’ve known each other for much longer than this short course. It’s no wonder that many course participants continue to keep in contact with each other for years.
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.