Daisy finally had cubs at 6 years of age. We’d been expecting them from her for the last four years. 
Daisys cubThis year she had 3, and they are cute! All have white chest patches. This is the first that anyone has seen them that I know of. We had a report of Bow being seen yesterday, but we suspect it is Bow’s lookalike daughter that was seen. It was getting dark at the time. But not today. Bow has always been a sweetheart. We never hear of her except at a couple of feeding stations. She is apparently cautious elsewhere.
DaisyWe have avoided having Black Bear Field Courses at this time of year because of the bugs. But this day was in the 80’s F with no wind, and Mike and I (shirtless) didn’t notice the bugs when Daisy and family were here. I’d like Lily Fans to see cubs at this cute stage. Maybe we’ll consider that next year.
Bald eagleThe day started out with bears. I stopped by a feeding station where the owner is gone a couple days and saw nice Griz with a female. Griz is popular, actually.
Along the way, I picked up some beef fat and put it out where I could see it from my window as I type. That was about 10:30 AM. By noon, turkey vultures were gathering. At 12:55 PM, a bald eagle flew in. They all just watched the fat from trees for over an hour until crows came in to the fat and showed them it was safe. By then, the vultures had left, but the eagle flew down within minutes, grabbed a piece, and flew off.
At this moment (8:26 PM) a gray fox is snatching a piece and disappearing in the grass.
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| Daisy's cubs | ||
About midday, we learned that the woodchuck has at least four babies (I know I’m supposed to say chucklings), and one of them flipped a painted turtle over on its back, the first turtle I’ve seen on land this year in egg-laying season. I turned the turtle right side up.
GrizAnd through it all, I completed my part for the Loon Exhibit posters.
At the Bear Center, Lucky and Holly have been putting on quite a show, and Lily Fans have been capturing it on video for the internet. Thank you.
Thank you all for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center