Quill keeps us in suspense. Two nights ago he sat staring blankly at times. Back in 2009, Lily did that and then went to a den. 
QuillWe wondered if he would be back. He skipped the next night (last night). We thought he was done but put food out anyway.
6:05 PM this evening, Peggy happened to see him on the scale and got a weight—61 pounds. We don’t know how long he was there before she saw him, but he couldn’t have eaten more than a quarter pound of nuts, from what the scale read before and after he was on. With a 61-pound reading, he could be as light as 60 ¾ or as heavy as 61 ¼. He likely has an empty stomach weight of around 61.
I hope he keeps coming—especially tomorrow night after the snow that is due tonight. We’ll see if he comes in the snow and leaves tracks.
He is so lethargic, that each night could be his last visit of the year.
QuillAfter we read his weight, he walked over to the big white pine and half leaned against it. Then he climbed to the lowest branch to rest in safety. A flashlight out the window lit the pictures. He paid little attention to the light.
He has a bowl of formula (6 ¼ cups, about 3 pounds) and maybe a half pound of nuts to eat yet. Overnight, between Peggy watching and the trail cams photographing, we’ll learn what he does.
I have to leave soon for the 8 PM Podcast with Donna and Scott for GiveMN, which had glitches all day. I haven’t heard lately, but GiveMN was down for a couple hours and for much of the day was not giving full information. This is the third year in a row with major GiveMN problems. We hope it hasn’t been too frustrating trying to get your donations in.
Thank you for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center