At the Bear Center, the crew is cleaning Ted’s private pool.
Ted pool cleaning crew
Out the window at the Wildlife Research Institute, deer are looking sleek and beautiful. A young buck with velvet-covered antlers bounded through the tall grass and ferns, knocking pollen off the grass as he went. He showed his smooth new coat that still has a few tufts of old winter fur remaining on his shoulder as we approach the summer solstice. A doe foraging in bushes has completely shed her thick winter fur and is as sleek as she can get.
A few days ago, the bare legs and feet of the gulls were being attacked by black flies and other biting insects. The gulls were frequently flicking one leg or the other and tucking their heads under their chests to see what was biting them. Then chalk-fronted corporal dragonflies emerged a couple days ago. Dozens of dull orangey-brown juveniles cruised back and forth over the yard without stop. I say “without stop” because I wanted to snap a picture of one in its brief juvenile color, but not one would land. Now that they have been clearing the air of insects a couple days, the gulls are no longer flicking their legs and the dragonflies are taking time out to land for pictures. They are already changing color. Some have their adult coloration. I never saw a mosquito, black fly, or no-see-um while trying to snap pictures of them.
 White tail buck |
 White tail doe |
 White tail doe |
The film team left very happy today. We were happy, too because, we will get copies of the best scenes for use in the Bear Center. They were filming in 5K, which is the highest definition video there is. Eventually, we’ll see what they got and what ideas we get (or you give us) for putting it to the best use for bears at the Bear Center.
The big news of a minute ago (5:44 PM) is that Lily and cubs are less than a mile away. Heading out.
 Chalk-fronted Corporal adult colors |
 Chalk-fronted Corporal changing color |
Addendum: I didn’t see her. One of the gulls that can catch arrived with a big mouthful of moss, as if it was on its way to wherever it is building a nest. It dropped the material and waited for bologna. It seems ravenous. I’ll see if it picks up the moss when it leaves.
Editor's note: Apologies for the delay in uploading this update, a wedding got in the way.
Thank you for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center