Pie, Mike, etc. - UPDATE June 13, 2015

Mike looking in direction where gull swooped inAt the Bear Center, it was the bears Half Birthday Party with a pie eating contest which I won and was called a Champion!! I felt big (and getting bigger). I know people like to do what they can do well, but no more pie-eating contests for awhile. Here’s a video a Lily Fan captured. Pie Eating Contest 6/13/2015 NABC Pond Ely, MN.

There’s always a lot going on at the Bear Center. Judy Thon announced special events and gives reports on Ted, Lucky Honey and Holly in her daily Podcasts at 11 AM, 1 PM, and 4 PM at
http://www.bear.org/website/live-cameras/live-cameras/ptz-pond-cam-live.html. Also, sign in to our family friendly chat room.

To see the bears, go to www.bear.org and on the home page click on the "Live Camera's " tab. Click on the PTZ cam for great bear viewing.

Mike resting	Alert to the direction Jewel came from	Mike eating

Also, we’re looking forward to the LilyPad Picnic. Tickets are now available for purchase through www.lilypadpicnic.com . Get answers to any questions via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . There is also a Facebook page called "Lilypad Picnic FAN PAGE - Sponsored by NBF", which stands for Northwoods Bear Foundation, the LilyPad Picnic organizers. Picnic plans for this year include the Picnic, Silent Auction, kids games, Saturday evening bonfire at NABC to include a talent show, and (hopefully) live streaming; and Sunday "Brunch with Doc & Sue" at Grand Ely Lodge; and loads of fun for everyone! Not to mention the Northwoods Ecology Hall Grand Opening that includes food and fun.

Painted Turtle digging hole for eggs - 6-12-15

Back at work at the WRI, Mike stopped by to relax and eat. I snapped a couple pictures through the window. Briefly, he went on alert in the direction Jewel had appeared on the run a couple days ago when she chased him up the tree he is by. A few minutes later, he went on semi-alert and looked up toward where the gull had swooped in over him a couple days ago. Later, he put his head on his paw and looked like he could take a nap. At 80 degrees, it is not a day for a lot of activity wearing a winter coat that still has the underfur.

Painted turtle digging hole	...and laying eggs - 6-12-15

A Nature Note: Yesterday a painted turtle was laying 9 eggs while two others walked around in the same area looking for a place to do the same. From the front, we can see the turtle straining upward so it can tilt the back of its shell down to dig a little deeper with its hind legs. From the back we can see it using a hind leg to dig out a spherical nest area beneath the narrow entrance hole. They use both hind legs alternately. Then, we can see an egg about to drop onto eggs already laid.

Thank you for all you do.

Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center

All photos taken today unless otherwise noted.

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