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Bears, Beavers, and Birds - UPDATE April 22, 2016
22 April 2016
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I don?t know what is causing Honey?s problem. The latest talk is sedating Honey on Monday for a thorough exam. Scott, Sharon, Cindy, and I looked at her today. Beaver swimming
Beaver swimming

Honey didn?t notice when Scott touched her swollen left hind foot but responded normally to his touching her right hind foot. Ted was at his fence a few feet away giving his friendly high-pitched grunts. All we can do is give Honey her meds and wait for the head vet to get back on Monday.
Scott and Sharon let Lucky and Holly out to play and explore, which they did. They played in the big white pine cub tree. They swam in the pond. Lucky washed his face, even behind his ears as captured by a Lily Fan in this 6-minute video
https://youtu.be/edrJX9worWA.
Beaver slapping
Beaver slapping

Back at the WRI, the outdoor microphone picked up a beaver slapping its tail a little before 7 PM. It was still light, so I grabbed my camera and zipped down to Woods Lake, stopping a few seconds to snap a deer that was ignoring me as I walked past. He was eating the nice green grass coming up next to the dead red pine top Lily Fan volunteers brought down last fall. The beaver continued slapping and diving, resurfacing, and slapping again. He was far out on the lake. I tried an old trick. I splashed the water, too. He came.
Back at my desk, a white-throated sparrow male in full breeding plumage came to the feeder?the first one in breeding plumage I?ve seen this year.
Beaver diving
Beaver diving

Earlier today, the trusting gull came but wasn?t so trusting. I had my red hat and jacket on. Overall, I must have looked familiar enough that it didn?t fly, but it wouldn?t come. It just stood three feet away and clucked nervously. I went in and took off the red. I came out with no hat and my familiar black, long-sleeved Bear Center T-shirt. It came immediately and repeatedly and didn?t mind fast movements. Maybe we have to have Bear Course participants wear black if they want to interact with the gull. I have a half dozen clean black t-shirts big enough to fit almost anyone.
More on birds, a really nice nesting loon exhibit is in the works for the Ecology Hall.
Deer
Deer

No bears yet.
I hope Honey improves with her meds the next couple days. I don?t know what more we can do. We hope the veterinarians can figure it out soon.
Thank you for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Cente