Six-year-old Lucy gives me the calmest, closest feeling. Her breathing says she feels the same way, and her heart rate is the slowest I’ve found with any bear this year—90 beats/minute. I know scientists shouldn’t have feelings for their study subjects; but without sensitivity, you can’t behave appropriately. It’s a treat to see her. I hope I can put a collar on her and a camera in her den where she will give birth this winter. Same for Lily who will den with her three yearlings.
Doe and fawnOut the window, fawns are growing. This fawn followed its mother listening behind while the mother listened ahead. The fawn will lose its spots in a month or two.
The red squirrel just happened to be sitting in light that made me click.
Dancing was an unexpected treat last night. The music had rhythm—country music sung well. A highlight was Donna, daughter Colleen, granddaughter Gabrielle, and me holding hands in a circle as we moved to the music. Sometimes we’d let go and move our arms a lot before reconnecting and bopping around some more. A good time. It made the singers happy to see us happy, and they said so afterward.
Thank you for all you do,
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center