A good feeling this afternoon was seeing Quill at a feeder eating date mash for about 15 minutes. He'd take a bite and look at the 30-40 ducks 30-40 feet away. 
QuillThe ducks didn't fly away like they did the other day. Behind a window, I'd move only when he wasn't looking as I positioned the camera. Quill is very timid. He eventually noticed me and moved off, looking back warily, then pivoting as if to come back, but stopping for another look. The two looks gave good views of the left side and front of his mouth where the quills had been. I moved away from the window but then saw him out another window heading for the bowl of Hope Formula. Good. Aside from looking toward gunshots from grouse hunters, he spent a steady 14 minutes lapping up a little over a quart of formula--I'd guess 36 ounces.
QuillWhen I arrived at the WRI, I checked the bowl this morning and it was licked clean like he left it today.
I brought my camera when I checked the bowl, as I did yesterday, hoping that a hungry bird or two would hold briefly for a picture that would show feather detail. Two did. A White-breasted Nuthatch showed the long bill used to get insects out of crevices on tree trunks. The gray crown says it is a female. A young White-throated Sparrow in winter plumage was another tan-striped one, which is mainly what I've seen this fall.
QuillAt the Bear Center, we're scheduling more improvements. Good things keep falling into place. I heard from my friend Martyn Stewart who is creating an upgraded video display featuring the creatures that makes sounds in the northwoods. He is giving us free access to his vast sound catalog. We could never come up with anything like this without him. He is one of the top nature soundmen in the business. He'll fly over here from the west
coast to make sure everything is right. He also will be supplying a chorus of northwoods sounds to go with the many taxidermy birds that will be perched near or flying over the new Camping With Bears Exhibit. We will be rearranging some bear exhibits and adding video to them as we build beautiful slanted wood platforms for them along the lower walls. For the new Interior Grizzly Bear Exhibit, our talented exhibit developers will position her and create realistic habitat to show her in her greatest splender.
White-breasted nuthatch
Outside the Bear Center, we will finish the pavilion and gravel the surrounding area for a professional look. Lilypadders will see that at the picnic as will Youth Day Camp participants as we develop that program.
White-throated sparrowWe thank Lily Fans for all you do to make this possible. And that reminds me to thank everyone who bought a membership in this membership drive. There are 10 more days to get a membership and get a free 2017 Bear Center Calendar as long as they last.
Thank you for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center