Ms. Marten was on the roof of the bird feeder eating date mash when Mr. Marten appeared outside my window. A piece of date mash was there, but he ran to and fro, looking 
Marten malein all directions as if for squirrels. He stood up, showing how much bigger and blonder he was than her. He hopped up to look at Ms. Marten several times before courageously joining her. She paid little attention. She kept eating. He ran down the deck stopping here and there to look for squirrels. He climbed a tree as I ran from window to window. He then ran up the steps to the third floor deck. I ran up the inside stairs to see what he would do, thinking he might go into an empty garbage can lying on its side up there. Ms. Marten came running up the stairs after him, and the two went into the garbage can together. 
Marten maleShe was out and in several times. While looking over the edge of the deck, she paid no attention when Mr. Marten came out, put a paw on her hip, held her close and snuggled his face against her side with his eyes closed. It’s not mating season. That’s in summer with delayed embryonic implantation until late winter. If Ms. Marten is three years old or so, she could give birth in the next few weeks.
It reminded me how bears remember their mates fondly months after mating season. Bears that chase other bears away from food will share it with their mate of a few months earlier and even nibble his neck. I remember how true June was to Big Harry and how true Braveheart was/is to One-eyed Jack, mating season after mating season. I suspect animals have more feelings for their mates than many would give them credit for.
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| Mr. and Mrs. Marten | ||
There was still enough cold wind today to mess up chickadees’ feathers. Warmer weather is coming.
At the Bear Center, Scott said he broke a connector on the Lucky and Holly Den Cam when he almost fell on the ice near it. He won’t be able to fix it until Monday.
ChickadeeYou’re still breaking new ground with merchandise suggestions—including a book of northwoods nature pictures by Bear Center photographers.
You’re also coming up with thoughtful Legacy Wall ideas plus ideas we never thought to ask for. Thank you! More on that shortly.
Thank you for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center