Fisher side view
For the first time in weeks or months, the fisher came early enough this evening to let me click the camera that is always aimed out the window from my desk. He or she (I’m thinking a she from her moderate size) paused for looks at me or the camera on her way to the pile of fat to fight the cold temperatures of recent days—7 degrees (F) when she was here.
Throughout the day, a dozen blue Jays showed their appreciation for the fat and their sunflower seed hearts by those the center of their activity as long as it was light. With each individual’s return trip, it perches briefly nearby to assess the competition (the flock, red squirrels, and hairy woodpeckers), scan the sky, maybe a brief look at me at my desk as usual, and then diving down to compete for access to the food. Some filled their crops, tilting their heads back to swallow, or just grabbing a seed or two to pick apart on a nearby branch. One did it nearby in good sun showing how it holds a tiny sunflower seed between its two feet, eats it bit by bit, and goes back for more.
 Blue jay wings spread |
 Blue jay diving |
 Blue jay tilt |
 Blue jay w/seed |
 Blue jay w/seed |
On another note, with so many of you chipping in to make the final stage of the movie come to be, it is gratifying to think of what the movie will do for bears. We’ve come a long way. With a budget of $1,402,098 to fill, $1,237,636 has been raised, which was enough to give the BBC enough confidence to announce the film and get good reactions from broadcasters. To donate, visit https://www.bearstudy.org/donations/make-a-donation.html and write "Film Fund" in the comments. Thank you!
As you now are trimming the remainder down from the $164,462 still needed, I’m thinking “thank you, thank you, thank you” and write thank you for all you have done and are doing!
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center