Monday, June 17, 2013

North Woods Critter Report for Monday

On our way back from Iron River this morning, a black bear went across Highway 139. Gary immediately made a right turn onto an side road and we watched the bear cross that road, too. Gary estimates him to be 150 lbs., and probably a second year bear, not yet old enough for breeding. I never have a camera ready in these situations, but I was pleased nonetheless. A summer without a bear is not worth having.

Back at Laura Lake, both loons are out fishing, which probably means the chicks have hatched out. For the past weeks, at least one loon has been on the nesting platform provided by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. By law, the forests belong to the National Forest Service but the waters belong to the State of Wisconsin.

We found out today that the Sturgeon Guard shirts we ordered in May are on the way. I'd been wondering about that since my check had not cleared. Now we will be properly clad whenever we stand over the banks of the Wolf River in the spring.

The belted kingfisher finally showed himself to me this evening. I'd heard his complaining whenever he missed his prey but never saw him until now.

We haven't seen the porcupine but tonight saw his work on the outhouse next to the boat landing. The door frames had been chewed off as tall as he could reach.


I warned campers at the Flats who had three dogs, two of whom were running loose, that they didn't want to have a run in with a porcupine. We saw them tonight and the dogs were still running loose. I hope they have the phone number of a local veterinarian.


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