Ted, Tasha, Fred, Ethel, Lucy, Fern, Eli, and an Error - UPDATE May 5, 2018

Sharon sent a picture of Ted as he came out of the pool. It reminded me of the view I had of him when I lay down beside the pool to get a picture looking up at him in the water. LucyLucyHe saw an opportunity to be close. By the time I was turned away and up on my hands and knees, Ted was hugging me. The picture someone took from the viewing area showed his head against my back. I think he was being affectionate, but he preferred food when Sharon showed him a treat.

A Lily Fan caught three videos of Tasha in action—each 4 to 5 ½ minutes long

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC7KOdoQuJk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIYAfxe6BNI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVAXrCF9KZc

FernFern with mangeIn the last 2 days, 3 of Samantha’s 4 cubs from 2016 have shown up as 2-year-olds—Fred, Ethel, and now Lucy—each a joy in his or her own way. There can’t be sweeter bears than Lucy and Ethel. Well, maybe there are a few others, like dear Lily, Jack, Ursula, Faith, Sophie, and a few others we and course participants who have gotten to know them are waiting to see.

EthelEthelFern appeared a couple days ago, looking much as she did last spring—bald—with her annual case of overwinter mange. Her hair will regrow, but for now she is recognizable from far away. Black bears have light skin, as we can see. Ironically, polar bears have black skin.

TedWet Ted“Stratton” was back again but turned out to really be Eli, Lily’s 5-year-old son who we watched doing the Beary-Go-Round with Ellie as cubs in the den in the winter/spring of 2013. Eli and Stratton have the same white line on the chest but Eli has an identifying scar on his head he got as a yearling. That was the clincher. The two bear detectives here sleuthed it out.

Common grackles can be black or beautiful, depending on how the sun hits them. This one turned out to be beautiful.

Common Grackle Common Grackle
Common Grackle showing beautiful colors


Thank you for all you do.

Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center


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