RC and her three cubs made their first appearance of the year yesterday and today 
LilyLily fulfilled the a dream of some of the course participants, and other bears showed us a variety of behaviors and personalities. Discussion and presentations filled in the gaps. A wonderful time of fun and learning. The look Lily gave me this morning made one of my favorite pictures of her.
I've never seen such a flock of hummingbirds. Blossoms are waning and fledglings have added their numbers. Around the 2 hummingbird feeders, it's a constant buzz of competition with 5 to 10 ruby-throated hummingbirds in view at once. Most are fledglings as shown by their streaked throats. Hummingbirds must have had a baby boom here in this spring with so many blossoms (nectar) that produced so many berries.
 RCs cubs |
 RC |
 Ursula |
The berries in the picture are chokecherries (Prunus virginianus) that are unusually abundant this summer. Scats are filled with them. They have a terrible astringent taste but are a favorite bear food.
 Purple Finch |
 Hummingbird juvenile |
 Hummingbirds |
The red head on this purple finch shined brightly.
After a month, I finally got my dial tone back today and can again use the land line. Things are finally back to normal after the storm of a little over a month ago.
Chokecherry
Thank you for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center