Maureen enjoying
watching the cubs
Maureen, Chico and Biscuit
Maureen catches a char
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Chico and Biscuit seemed to have carved out their position as part of the bear community of Kambalnoe Lake. Since Biscuit stood up to Brandy on the cliff, both have avoided further conflict. A few days ago, Biscuit deliberately separated herself from Chico and went up into the West Basin, not too far away from where Brandy was feeding her cubs, who are currently being weaned. Biscuit walked above the family, clearly letting her presence known by letting the air carry her smell downward. Brandy accepted her presence. As I watched this with binoculars from 1/2 mile away, I wondered why Biscuit had separated from Chico. Maybe Chico was afraid to go up in there with her. I decided this was not the case when the next day Chico also walked not far from where Brandy was grazing. It seems when Biscuit is serious about something she needs to accomplish she "ditches" her sister.
Three days later I saw Biscuit do it again, but for a different reason. Fishing was in the air. They could smell it. The creek north of the cabin had been Pink Salmon spawning ground every other year. There had been none in the creek last year. I wandered up the creek to see if any had arrived yet. I almost bumped into Biscuit and Chico doing the same thing. All three of us - walking along the creek bank, peering into pools where we saw so many fish two years ago. Chico came quickly up behind Biscuit to see what she had spotted. Biscuit growled. Chico pouted with her upper lip out, growling back, but nonetheless, moved away. A few minutes later Chico anxiously followed Biscuit too closely again. Biscuit swatted her with her paw. They had once again separated by later in the day.
Chico, after trying to fish unsuccessfully and having been told to leave by her sister, set her sights on Charlie. She wanted Charlie to play with her. As I observe these scenarios I often hold my breath. Chico stood near Charlie, hovering momentarily about a foot higher. It is awesome to watch. They dance around one another with a rather undefined boundary established that they both explore. Chico has continued to be gentle with her "horse play". She has always coveted Charlie's boots and other pieces of clothing that flap in the wind. Her eyes follow these tempting items whenever the play starts. On this occasion, she finally rolled over on her back, waving her feet in the air, with Charlie standing nearby, totally enjoying himself!
Biscuit and Chico separated in the early days of the fishing season last year too, likely for the same reasons. Biscuit hated being interrupted when doing a stalk on a trout or salmon. Yesterday, she stood in the pool watching the char, not far from where I had caught one earlier in the day. She leapt in the air and came down in the middle of a school and bit into one faster than I could observe with any detail. All I saw was water flying and her leaping out with a lovely trout.
With fishing so difficult for the bears as yet, they still eat greens, but clearly with reluctance. They nibble on sedge by the water's edge, keeping an eye out for any swirls in the water. They take their fishing seriously. The bears of this area rely on fish for their winter's supply of fat. Our cubs have become anxious with anticipation of the feast they know will soon follow. This morning, Chico spent an hour sitting above Bearskull Bay peering into the water. We haven't seen Biscuit all day. I have missed her.
The weather has been rather awful. Fog and rain has returned. In the last 30 days we have had about 4 days of sun. But, both of us are content to be here. Our days are full. Charlie installed a small windmill this year which has given us all the electricity we need for our computers. He has been writing while I have been painting. As soon as the weather lets up a bit, we are out with the bears. They are not hard to find. The tundra is greener than ever before and the flowers are tall and brilliant. Color once again has invaded my canvas as I prepare for my art exhibition this September in Moscow. I will save writing about my art production and upcoming exhibition, until next entry.
-Maureen