With the last Black Bear Field Course of the year ending today, as participants talked about their highlights 
Chickadee on hand
- J. HillI heard special enthusiasm for two kinds of experiences. One was time spent with calm Lily who they have followed here and online for years, the other was time spent with Lucy and her cubs. Of special interest was Lucy’s calmness with participants but stirred terror in the male bears she told in no uncertain terms to stay away from her cubs. But despite her rushes that looked and sounded ferocious, there was never any contact. For me, it was great to be among yet another group of participants whose hearts for bears showed me again not only how lucky I am to experience what I do but how lucky I am to be able to share such experiences with people who share my interests, feelings, and desire to learn.
A highlight that might seem minor by comparison was hearing over and over about chickadees at the Bear Center showing trust by landing on people’s hands.
Nice times.
Thank you for all you do,
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center