Quill did what he was supposed to last evening. He arrived, hopped on the scale, and showed what we think is an empty stomach weight of 60 pounds. 
Quill Overnight, he proceeded to eat 2 ½ pounds of nuts, 3 pounds of formula, and some vegetable leftovers. We’ll get a higher number next time. He now sits around a lot and often walks lethargically. I suspect his body is in conflict between hibernation genetics slowing him down and the urge to gain weight. He’s done a pretty amazing job of nearly doubling his weight in less than a month so far. Last night, a trail cam caught him leaving past his Quill House, still ignoring it.
Quill leaving by Quill HouseA Lily Fan mentioned that Crackle has an upturned nose like Quill does. I’m always amazed how knowledgeable Lily Fans are. Often, they remember stuff I have to check.
The WRI cabin might be the home of the female pine marten. That would explain the frequent sightings and the tracks leading to a garbage can lying on its side with the open end against the siding on the third floor deck. It’s what Black Bear Field Course participants see outside the third floor sliding door. We don’t dare touch the garbage can for fear it will change something and make her leave. The pictures of her were taken on her way down to the date mash outside the living room window.
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| Pine marten showing her delicate tongue | Pretty pine marten female's face |
The lone remaining crow ignores me at my desk 10 feet away as he eats sunflower seeds and suet.
Northern flying squirrels scamper about eating sunflower seeds at night, lit by the yard light. One flew in and landed on a vertical post of the railing. Another sat on a branch in a dimly lit area, looking much brighter in the picture than in real life. The fold of skin it uses for gliding was prominent. They are on the scale all night long just like red squirrels are on it by day. Both species weigh a half pound.
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| Flying squirrel | Lone remaining crow | Notice flying squirrel's fold of skin |
A Lily Fan, Mike Mathis, came up with a clever way of telling the story of Holly and Scott’s Battle of the Cams. He even worked in a reference to GiveMN that is two days away (Thursday, November 17) .
He wrote:
“Twas the week of big giving and all through the pond
All the good bears were snoring their awake days quite gone.
When up on the bunkers there arose such a clatter
Poor Holly jumped up to see what was the matter.
Such noise and confusion a Scott was now fastening
A cam to their nice den and it sounded like crashening.
Holly swore by all that tasted quite sweet
That whatever that thing was she would break it this week.
Scott had a plan and a gleam in his eye
All his cams had met bears and before all cams died.
But this time was different, a cam built like a tank.
Holly said bet on me, money's in the bank!
They looked and they plotted both their brains steaming
While the bearheads rejoiced for soon cams would be streaming
First one would win then be passed by the other
But we all win with cams for those bears are our brothers.”
Thank you for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center