Black Bear Blues

Lily. Image credit North American Bear Center

Among the latest video crazes to hit the internet is the 24/7 recording of a female black bear called Lily, as she waits out winter in her den. It's her time to rest, living off the fat she's stored after a major summer/fall eating binge. Lily had to prepare for what's to come because black bears give birth during hibernation. And this well-watched Mama has entertained the world by doing just that.

Check out the webcam.

I'm sure the camera is catching information which will lead to a new understanding of black beardom. But I can't help feeling sorry for Lily during the process. Think about it.

Millions of viewers watched her every move as she went into labor. After delivering a single cub, the high-fives resounded. Never mind the tortuous birthing process which did not include one drop of anesthesia. Lily wasn't happy. It's been rumored that while giving birth she kept growling through clenched teeth, "He'd better not come near me again or so help me I'll...!". Ah-hem. You get the picture.

Meanwhile, viewers continue to watch while Lily nurses, cleans and otherwise cares for her naked, helpless newborn through numerous sleepless nights. No one brings her a midnight snack. No cubsitter pops into her by-now-very-untidy den to help out. There's no getaway night out with the girls. Nothing. Nada. Zero. Zip. Lily's on her own and she certainly has her paws full.

Never mind what the experts discover. I've already learned something from Lily's ordeal. It's the reason park officials warn us to be extra careful around bears after hibernation.

Because nothing can be more dangerous than a post-partum Mama.

Spring on the Saint

Kayakers practice their moves.












Early spring at the Saint. She's high, fast, and powerful.


I'm not quite ready to let go of my daydream about spring just yet, so let me show you a few photos and tell more about the St. Francis River. Surrounded by rocky pink-toned granite boulders the river is home to a virtual plethora of wildlife. Catfish, crayfish, crappie, sunfish, water snakes, turtles, and lizards can be found in or around the water. We've also seen deer, raccoon (they love to do night raids on leftover food), turkey vultures, herons, turkey, hawks, mink, otters, and occasionally eagles. Oddly, we see very few small birds as are common in the St. Louis area.

The Saint (as it is fondly called by the kayak folks) is fascinating. It can rise quickly, and drop just as quickly. And when roaring with water it creates whirlpools and riffles that require a skilled hand for those who plan to navigate it. Helmets required, because many huge boulders lurk just under the surface.

Last spring we had a group of kayakers practicing moves by our place. It's interesting to watch them paddle themselves around the swirling water and scary when someone rolls over and doesn't immediately pop back up. If they're under too long, rescue is quickly on the way. It's a sport that's fun to watch, but definitely not something I'll ever try.

I prefer my feet on the ground to my head under water.

Symbol of Hope

Canadian Press Photo

We've all heard about the devastating fires in Australia. Hundreds of people have lost their lives and the destruction of property and vegetation is mind boggling. Then there are the animals. It's been estimated that millions of wild and domestic animals have been killed, and even more have suffered injury and lost their homes and habitats. In other words for the survivors, no place to live...no food. I've read things that were truly heartbreaking. But instead of those stories I've chosen to write about a moment that symbolizes hope...a koala now known as Sam.

A firefighter named David Tree had been working long hours to gain control of the fires when he saw a koala in serious trouble. With her dark paws burned away to a raw pink, she was dazed and dehydrated. It is highly unusual for a wild koala to allow a human to come near, but not only did Sam welcome help, she drank eagerly from the bottled water offered to her. David says he was touched when the koala reached out and held on to his hand as she drank.

Sam is expected to make a full recovery along with other injured wild animal survivors such as kangaroos, possums, lizards, and turtles at the aptly named Mountain Ash Wildlife Shelter. Its reported that the animals remain fairly docile. They seem to know that volunteers are trying to help them.

Thank heaven for people like David Tree and the other volunteers who have reached out to help critters as well as people. As the world responds to this tragedy, it makes me hopeful that by working together, Australia will finally begin to travel the long road to recovery.

Missouri Conservationist Magazine

Missouri Conservationist magazine

The approaching zombies (look out, Illinois) seem to have attacked my blog and deleted the text. Oh well, let's try again.

The Missouri Conservationist magazine is a publication available free of charge to all Missouri residents. Simply visit their website to subscribe. Non-residents may also receive the publication for a nominal fee.

Why should you receive the Conservationist? The photographs, as you'll notice with the fat cardinal on the cover of this month's issue, are beautiful, and the magazine is packed with articles on Missouri's diverse flora and fauna. Of course, I particularly enjoy the critter articles. Recent stories on hummingbirds, bats, foxes, white tail deer, and eagles were fascinating.

Check them out, and enjoy your weekend!