Deer family grazingThis cloudy, rainy day was so somber that even the yellow leaves of this maple couldn’t brighten it.
Deer family runningTo brighten the day, Lily and cubs, Ember, and Fern were spotted at community feeding sites in the last couple days. Ember and Lily and her cubs are still both visiting the den we’re planning to watch with a Den Cam. Although we are glad to hear of sightings, we really wish they would den up, which they very likely will do in the next couple weeks.
Blue jayToward that end, I finished up the Den Cam Permit Application that took longer to write than I thought. I’ll send it in tomorrow and cross my fingers. Hoping for a yes. If not, I’ll have more work. We want a Den Cam. The application begins with, “Please accept this application for a permit to install and maintain Den Cams as part of our black bear study. I realize the Court of Appeals said I do not need a permit to place Den Cams, but my goal is to work cooperatively with the DNR. I would like to see the DNR praised for issuing a permit that is so strongly in the public interest.” It’s five pages. I didn’t realize reporters were waiting to do stories on the Den Cams, but I got a call from a major reporter today asking how they were coming.
Trees and woodsBlue jays are among the birds on the railing out the window. Out another window, an alert doe was grazing with her two buck fawns—until the fawns spotted me in the window, as the pictures show.
Red maple tree in yellowA picture I liked from yesterday is also a view out a window. It represents the local mix of conifers, deciduous trees, and water that provides habitat for perhaps the most diverse fauna in North America. This area has more breeding bird species than any national park or national forest. And the large forested area with few people provides habitat for wide-ranging animals like wolves, lynx, bears, and more. If we don’t get a better picture to represent our diverse habitat, we’ll consider this picture for an upper wall in the Bear Center with a caption about diversity.
The staff is excited about the changes in the wind for the Bear Center and Hope Learning Center, along with continued work on the Ecology Hall, We may need a couple fundraisers to make it all happen. GiveMN is coming up.
Thank you for your contributions for bear food.
Thank you for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center