Sometimes I’m glad to be wrong. It was a wonderful surprise that the nice fox everyone around here likes to see turned out to be alive and the same as ever. It’s been nearly a month since he was seen around here on December 14. Another fox came a few times but was very timid. When a fox appeared, I figured it was him or her so I was careful in taking pictures so as not to scare it. Then I noticed the unusually small amount of white on the tip of the tail. Could it be? I opened the door. It was him! Same as always! I spread the word. People were happy. This is an individual who, instead of running in terror, looks at you with recognition, expectations, and personality. His visits are something to look forward to, and this time he gave me a picture that clearly shows the distinctive white tip on his tail.
Fisher
On another topic, I didn’t want to be wrong on the sex of the fisher that visits. I thought he looked big enough to be a male, but I wasn’t sure. Then came a piece of data. Lorie Kennedy sent me a link to a video of him standing up by a support beam with his head even with a metal band on it at about 2 AM. His tracks were still there yesterday morning. He had stood 29 inches tall. Was that tall enough to be a male? I knew who to ask. Professor Roger Powell lives just 10 miles away. He has come full circle from where I first met him 50 years ago when he was working for Dr. L. David Mech at the USFS Kawishiwi Field Laboratory here near Ely. From there he went on to become one of the top fisher experts in the world and a long-time Professor at North Carolina State University. In 1982, he published the authoritative book on fishers entitled ‘The Fisher: Life History, Ecology, and Behavior.’ Now in semi-retirement, he has moved back to Ely, is one of our advisors at the Bear Center, and shares authorship with us on bear papers, which is another area of his expertise.
Fisher
I sent him a couple pictures and gave him a call. 
Fisher tracksHe immediately knew from the measurement and the shape of the head that it was a young, nearly full-grown male that I can now refer to as a ‘he’ with confidence. Thank you Roger.
Today it was good seeing the fox. Yesterday, it was good to learn the fisher’s sex, and both days were a joy with our two daughters and grandkids here to make everything more exciting.
And thank you all for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center