This group of Black Bear Field Course participants has a thirst for knowledge. They chose to hear 4 grueling presentations over 
Guyall else—punctuated by bear visits when nothing could hold them in their seats. That’s 4 presentations on top of 2 yesterday. At least they are eating well. They all seem contented. It did help that the bears included Shadow, Bow, Daisy, Guy, V-Dot, and others, with the evening onslaught to come yet.
Daisy solved a mystery. We wondered what had happened to her. Did she have cubs? Then she showed with no cubs. She is now 5, which means she will likely have her first litter at 6. 29-year-old Shadow was here before dawn. In that light, her new coat looked whiter on her face and crown than last year. We’re hoping to see and photograph her in good light to document her aging.
The picture is gentle, laid-back Guy with his sleepy looking eyes. He is very calm and tolerant with people, but he showed he can move when he told Big Harry to “get” a couple days ago. The two vocalized with their noses inches apart, but they never touched. Jewel was even more emphatic going after Bow’s yearling daughter Nancy yesterday, but again they didn’t touch. All talk and body language. A couple minutes later, they were calm again.
The update of Shadow’s Clan (click here) is taking shape for this year. We still have to get the sexes of Sophie’s 2 cubs and Summer’s 2 surviving cubs.
Thank you for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center