Lorie approaching warilyLast night, a Lily Fan wondered if Lorie’s right eye was clouded over, so we checked the close-up picture of her from yesterday and looked closely at it when she stopped by today. It’s okay.
Mike and Lorie playingHer brother Mike stopped by when she was here. Newly on their own, both are extremely wary of any movement that could be an approaching bear or something they don’t understand. When the two were 35-40 feet apart, they were extremely wary of each other’s movements. And of mine. You can see the wary look on Lorie’s face as she approached me in the dandelions (a bear food this time of year). Any movement they didn’t understand, they’d run off or leap up trees. Then they’d assess the situation and go back to what they were doing. It’s a difficult time for yearlings. When RC stopped by, Lorie ran off and stayed away until RC left.
Mike up a white pineEventually, Mike and Lorie got together and played like Holly and Lucky do. The picture of them standing up is after they were rolling around together. They almost look like they’re ready to fight, but the half smile on Lorie’s face and her ears spread apart in the play position give them away. Mike (on the left) is a little larger—10 pounds larger at 75 pounds.
At one point, something scared Mike up a big white pine on this windy day. He moaned and huffed and sniffed the air but there was nothing visible where he was looking. He stayed up there an hour and a half.
Later in the day, the gulls came. Apparently, they’re also getting used to bears. When a bear was in a place I often stand, the gull flew in and landed a few feet away as if there was no problem. I’d vote for these gulls as being among the most graceful fliers. They fly fast, soar easily, and can make the most delicate maneuvers as they wind between the trees to check the spam spot.
One of the prettiest birds in the northland—a male evening grosbeak—visited for some sunflower seeds. He was alone. I hope his mate is on a nest nearby.
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| Evening Grosbeak | Herring Gull | Herring Gull |
Thank you for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center
All photos taken today unless otherwise noted.