Great horned owlFebruary 19, 2014, was a chance to see what black bears do in dens on unusually warm winter days. With temperatures up to 43°F, it was the first day with a temperature over 35°F since November 21. The next day temperatures would exceed 35°F would be March 10 during this unusually cold winter. In this 4-minute highlight video there are good views of exposed cubs being quiet. The cold was tolerable. The main sound was the motor-like hum of cubs contentedly nursing.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IY76kqq5kE
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/120099549
Archives: http://www.bearstudy.org/website/research/2014-juliet-archives.html
River otterAt the Bear Center, Peter and Ryan made progress yesterday. When I looked this morning, the snow was meticulously in place and a river otter was walking on it.
The face of the Great gray owl is now lighted, showing the eyes.
The fawn is now in vegetation showing how fawns rely on camouflage rather than speed to escape predators the first 10 days of their lives.
Short-tailed weaselThe short-tailed weasel (Ermine) in white winter fur stands out boldly against the charred log in the late fall area.
The Bufflehead duck coming in for a landing on the beaver pond looks good against Maureen’s mural. Beside the stream below the dam sits the biggest beaver we have ever seen.
Overhead, a Great horned owl is now in flight. We’re into the last stages of having the exhibit done. It looks great.
So much of the exhibit was contributed by Lily Fans, including the taxidermy and the white pine cones on the snow.
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| Fawn curled up | Pinecone in snow | Great gray owl |
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| Muskrat | Bufflehead duck | Lynx |
Thank you for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center