The sharp-shinned hawk is back, making some of the blue jays retreat into the dense branches of a balsam fir tree near their main feeder, but they still are 
Pine marten male stalkingfilling their throats nearly as frequently as ever. A crow was looking over its shoulder but doesn't have anything really to worry about. With so many blue jays the hawks are hardly chasing crows. And I can't imagine what a little sharp-shin could do to a crow.
Sharp-shinned hawkEarly this morning, the big male pine marten was on the deck slipping slowly forward with its head and body low, focused forward, obviously stalking. He glanced my way, hearing the click through the glass of the door.
As the sun was getting low, a gray fox appeared from behind a big white pine.
Pine marten male
In the last good rays of the sun, a red squirrel posed in perfect light.
Gray foxAfter dark, the male and female pine martens were here together. Up on the third floor deck, the male was intrigued with the glass door, probably its reflection, maybe thinking it was a rival.
Otherwise, I was at my desk, but it can be distracting out the window.
The only bears coming now are two adolescent males (one very lethargic) and Samantha and Kimani and their cubs. At another feeding station, Fern and Jewel and their cubs are still coming. I think the moms would like to call it a year, but the cubs are still hungry.
Pine marten male
Red squirrelSnow is forecast for tonight, we'll see if that affects the bear activity. It's still on the early side for mothers with cubs to settle down.
Thank you for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center