Charlie checking the plane
in the storm






Covering the Engine









Tying Down the Plane

(Click on any Image to see a higher resolution version)

Our worst fear with big storms is that the high wind will catch the plane and pull it out of its tie downs as it did in 1997, when it destroyed a lot of the wing and tail. Charlie now runs the plane up snow banks and tucks it into the alder to give it some protection along with using up all rope in camp to secure it. Nonetheless, he is up 2 or 3 times a night checking everything.

Perhaps the worst part of these long storms is the accumulated effect of low light as we are enveloped in dense fog. We can't seem to avoid depression and wonder if we will fail with our goals this year. I usually read and wish I could go home. Charlie buries his head in the bridge game on his computer or writes endless letters. I have joined him in that habit. We seem to need all the communication from outside we can get to bolster our spirits. During this long period of gloomy fog, there were a few breaks of an hour or two a day and we took advantage of them -bolting for the door, often in different directions across the tundra.

Mating Season has Arrived!

In the last week we have observed four different mating pairs on the North Ridge. On this occasion (the courtship phase can last up to 2 weeks), a young male hovered about 30 meters behind a female, waiting anxiously for any signs of encouragement to approach. He often lowered himself down on his front paws looking anxiously in her direction every time she stopped. He would then arise and try to move closer. "If looks could kill!" The look she gave him stopped him in mid stride to again wait in another pose indicating submission - flat on his stomach, hind feet stretched out behind. (Charlie is a bit worried why I am observing all this behavior so carefully!!). When she decides to move on, he arises and follows carefully. I have heard about males pushing females to higher ground. I haven't seen any of this - she surely leads the way and picks the route.

Another very old and beaten up male swam across Kambalnoye Lake, we assume smelling the attractive female who, with a younger suitor in tow, was passing through Bearskull Bay near our camp. Both his ears were chewed off; his left lip hung from an old injury and one toe of his front paw stood straight upwards. En route across the lake, he climbed up on a small iceberg for a rest and then on to catch up the pair. He reached them not far from the cabin and I was expecting a big fight between the younger male and this one. The female ran full speed to the North Ridge with both males in pursuit. As luck would have it she ran into another pair (not the two mentioned earlier) and frightened away the small male. The old male claimed this female as his.

The old male's new partner wasn't too sure she liked this arrangement and tried to work her way around to her friend, still lingering above. The old male showed a lot of style. As she worked her way upslope, instead of rushing the young guy for a fight as I anticipated, he sat between her and him. The young bear headed out and that was the end of that.

We spotted a different pair in the same area on the North Ridge, two days later. The female looked suspiciously like Biscuit but we are not at all sure. It soon fogged in and we lost the entire show. As I write this Charlie is up flying seeing who is doing what and where. The weather is great and I am out of here!!!!

- Maureen