Lynn Rogers and UrsulaIt was a good thing I wrote last night's update early because the bear action would have prevented it later.
Shadow at 28 - 7/6/15 Soon after writing the update, a community feeder called to say Ursula was there with 3 cubs. This was the first sighting of her this year. No sexes yet for the cubs. Ursula is a special bear. We got to know each other touching noses and exchanging breath. when she was a cub. Now, 10 years later, she hasn’t forgotten. She did the same greeting she learned with me back then. Throughout her life, she has been exceptionally calm with me as I’ve taken her heart rate, etc. 
Shadow's single cub - 7/6/15She has learned to trust a few others, too. Did it jeopardize her safety? She is 10 years old and living in a heavily hunted area and has never been the subject of a complaint that we know of.
Lily - 7/6/15Then we got a call that Shadow was seen with a single cub. We got a similar call this evening and got pictures of both Shadow and her cub. The interesting thing about Shadow is that she has had longer to become accustomed to people than any other bear in the study. Yet, she is extremely nervous around people. We were extra happy to see her because, at 28 years old, she is the oldest bear to give birth in all our studies, and we see she is down to producing only 1 cub after producing litters of 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 2, 2, 2, 3, 2, and now 1, 
Shannon's male cub - 7/6/15producing a litter every other year since the first one we recorded in 1995. We hope she survives a few more years to see if she continues to have cubs and what the litter sizes are. Her picture shows her gray face.
Loon and chickThen we got a report of Shannon having 2 males and a female with one of the males having an unusual marking on its chest. We’re glad to see some easily identifiable cubs with so many to keep track of.
Another call from a community feeder was that Lily was there with her three shy cubs. We’re still trying to learn the sex of her most shy cub.
Great Blue HeronOthers seen were Burt, Daisy, Aspen, and Freddie, making it an action-filled time with the Black Bear Field Course participants. If anyone can make it, there is an opening for this coming Sunday through Wednesday course. Call me (218-365-4480) if you want to make last-minute arrangements.
Loon faceThe time on the pontoon boat with the group was filled with wildlife but with all the bear activity, we’ll save most of that for tomorrow.
Great group and much fun with people who care about bears and are thrilled to meet Lily, Ursula, Burt, and the others like we are.
Thank you for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center
All photos taken today unless otherwise noted.