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| Charlie Brown initiates play with Desi | |
I’ve always said that bears that buddy up after family break-up are not usually littermates, but I’ve never seen the initial contacts leading to that. Peggy might have seen that last night, and it was not a bear I’d expect to do that. Shy Charlie Brown was eating near Lucy’s son Desi who is still with her. Lucy was tolerating Charlie Brown being around. Then Charlie Brown gave Desi a friendly lick on the face. Soon after, Charlie Brown was busy eating and Desi wanted more attention like that. He was above Charlie Brown and kept reaching down and touching his head. Peggy was trying to take pictures but half the time the camera wouldn’t lock on a focus and click. Next they were both on the steps and Peggy clicked as Charlie Brown nuzzled Desi. Charlie Brown’s ears were in the play position tilted down and out to the sides. Yearlings usually become buddies after family breakup, and it was Charlie Brown that did the initial lick. We’ll see what happens with these two once Desi is on his own. For this meeting, Lucy was right there chaperoning, but somehow knew everything was okay. Still learning here.
Trumpeter Swans on Woods LakeSeeing two trumpeter swans on little Woods Lake here made me appreciate once again the privilege of being able to look out at this lake that gets a lot of wildlife. Even so, we don’t see swans on it every year. These swans were mainly resting and preening, which includes stretching the wings. After an hour or so, they took off, which I didn’t anticipate as they swam to the downwind end of the lake where they could take off into the wind and have maximum distance to gain altitude and clear the trees.
Thank you for all you do,
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center