CrackleBears continued to arrive as the first Black Bear Field Course came to an end. The bear we were most excited to see is beautiful 11-year-old Crackle with his rich brown coat. He was born to a brown mother (Ginger) in 2004—not part of the clan. He was very nervous today, as are many bears on their first visit—not nervous about us but about the many bear smells. We couldn’t see what made him look around and go check on things in the woods, so concerned that he could hardly eat. Then big Burt showed up and we understood. Burt is very gentle and calm with us, but his many scars say that he is not afraid to mix it up with a fellow bear if he has to. Although Burt is a year younger than Crackle, we believe Burt would win a battle between them. We don’t blame Crackle for being extra cautious. In a couple weeks, the bears will understand their relationships with each other and be much more relaxed.
And the chase is on!
Freddie, with his big white V, is another returnee we were glad to see. Still waiting and losing hope for Jack. Very glad Shadow and Ursula made it.
Common merganser broodThe pontoon ride yesterday was filled with wildlife. A common merganser mother and 7 little ones continued fishing as we drifted close. The young ones were already good at catching fish—some of the fish almost too big to swallow. When they couldn’t immediately swallow what they caught, siblings would try to help. That meant chases 
Herring gull waitingas a lucky fisherman ran across the water to keep its catch. Some of the course participants captured chases with their cameras.
This afternoon, the herring gull that is kind of taking the place of the one that had been coming here for years seemed more relaxed than usual. It ended up taking slices of frankfurters from my hand.
Someone might remind Lucky that the season is over...At the Bear Center the Course participants loved meeting Ted. They noticed that Lucky is still enamored with Holly who nonchalantly went back to extracting food out of a log as soon as he let go of her.
The taxidermy donor list is a step closer to being done. Click here to have another look at it to see if you got missed. 
Holly with the logIf you did, or have any comment, please email Judy McClure at
Thank you for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center
All photos taken today unless otherwise noted.