Common RedpollAt about 11 AM, it was playtime again. In this 9-minute video, thanks to a Lily Fan, Holly turned to raking with her ears in a non-play position—back as if listening in Lucky’s direction. Then they turned to trusting play with ears in the outward play position. Holly totally trusts Lucky and allows herself to get into vulnerable positions under him as he bites at her playfully. She feels the same way we do about bears. It’s not the size of a bear but its disposition that determines how much we trust it. https://www.facebook.com /toni.embree.50/videos/ o.139730642706794/1181168571915771/ ?type=2&theater
Male RedpollSpeaking of play, Sue caught a nice 41-second video of June, Jewel, and Jordan on May 4, 2009. June stops scent-marking to play with a cub before completing her scent-marking and moving on with the cubs. The light is nice and the cubs are energetic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1z_BwMA98s
Out the window, Common Redpolls (Acanthis flammeus) are flocking in from the arctic. The pictures show a mature male with its pink breast and a female or young male that has streaks. Redpolls are named for the red patch on top of the head. They get that patch with their late summer molt their first year, so they have it by the time we see them this far south in winter.
Thank you for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center