Spring is here. Bears are coming, and the yard is busy at other times with new spring bird arrivals, woodchucks, foxes, deer, and the occasional pine marten.
Holly washing up - 4/24/2018A couple days ago, a deer about 8 feet from the living room window looked up from foraging every time I walked by. It would then flick its tail meaning everything is okay, and go back to foraging. Then the deer was gone. Did it get tired of me walking by? I then saw a wolf rolling in cedar chips. It immediately ran, reacting more strongly than any other wildlife here (except maybe ravens that are tame in Ely but extremely wary here). The other wildlife gets used to seeing people coming and going and in the windows. I peeked around the corner where the wolf was headed. It had stopped and was looking back at the window. With the first glimpse, it ran again. More details later on the bears.
The day after tomorrow (Saturday) is the Mystic Lake Casino Spring Gathering in the Wabasha Room. Ask Sarah Rose if it is still okay to join up ($30 each). Looking forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting new people.
Thank you for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center