The "Morning Mountain" report July 1 8:50 AM

                 Valdez          Wilmington
Sunrise    4:11 AM          6:03 AM
Sunset    11:23 PM          8:27 PM

Our friends from Valdez, Judy & Everett Bartlett, just emailed this photo of the Mama Bear and her quadruplets from last year. All 5 are still alive and in Valdez - apparently a rarity to have all 4 cubs survive the winter.

This is from Wikipedia -

Newborns 

"The average lifespan in the wild is 18 years, though it is quite possible for wild specimens to survive for more than 23 years. The record age of a wild specimen was 31 years, while that in captivity was 44 years. Average annual survival rates for adult bears is variable, ranging from 86% in Florida to 73% in Virginia and North Carolina. In Minnesota, 99% of wintering adult bears were able to survive the hibernation cycle in one study. Remarkably, a study of black bears in Nevada found that the amount of annual mortality of a population of bears in wilderness areas was 0%, whereas in developed areas in the state this figure rose to 83%. Survival in subadults is generally less assured. In Alaska, only 14–17% of subadult males and 30–48% of subadult females were found in a study to survive to adulthood. Across the range, the estimated amount of cubs who survive past their first year is 60%." (Carnivores of the World by Dr. Luke Hunter. Princeton University Press (2011), ISBN 9780691152288)

"With the exception of the rare confrontation with an adult brown bear or gray wolf pack, adult black bears are not usually subject to natural predation. Black bear cubs tend to be more vulnerable to predation than adults. Known predators of bear cubs have included bobcats, coyotes, cougars, wolves, brown bears and other bears of their own species. Many of these will stealthily snatch small cubs right from under the sleeping mother. There is a single record of a golden eaglesnatching a yearling cub. Once out of hibernation, mother bears may be able to fight off most potential predators. Even cougars will be displaced by an angry mother bear if they are discovered stalking the cubs. Flooding of dens after birth may also occasionally kill newborn cubs. However, in current times, American black bears fatalities are overwhelmingly attributable to human activities. Seasonally, tens of thousands of black bears are hunted legally across North America, with many more being illegally poached or trapped. Auto-collisions also may claim many black bear lives annually."

These are their photos of the quadruplets from this year -

Alaska Facts

Compass Points

Alaska boasts the northernmost (Point Barrow), the easternmost (Pochnoi Point on Semisopochnoi Island in the Aleutians), and the westernmost (Amatignak Island in the Aleutians) points in the United States."

July, 2013 Bizarre and Unique Holidays Month: National Blueberry Month National Anti-Boredom Month Unlucky Month for weddings National Cell Phone Courtesy Month National Hot Dog Month National Ice Cream Month Week Event: Week 2 Nude Recreation Week July 2013 Daily Holidays, Special and Wacky Days: July 1st  Build A Scarecrow Day - first Sunday in month Flower of the Day: Petite Yellow Marigold Recipe of the Day: Smoky Barbecue Sauce  Canada Day (Dominion Day) no flower or recipe listed!  Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day Flower of the Day: Wildflowers Recipe of the Day: Ice Cream Pie  International Joke Day Flower of the Day: Bamboo Recipe of the Day: Banana Cream Pie 1 U.S. postage stamps went on sale for the first time. (1847) 1 Taxes begin to be withheld from paychecks. (1943) 1 ZIP codes go into use. (1963) Famous Birthdays July 1, 1916- Olivia De Havilland, actress July 1, 1934- Jamie Farr, actor July 1, 1942- Karen Black, actress July 1, 1952- Dan Aykroyd, actor July 1, 1961- Princess Diana, Princess of Wales, married Prince Charles July 1, 1961- Carl Lewis, Olympic champion, track star July 1, 1967- Pamela Anderson, actress, "Baywatch"

We took a walk yesterday on the path behind our apartment. Here are a few photos -

They mean it about motorized vehicles. The path is groomed in the winter for cross-country skiing.

Our first scat of the summer

and our second.

It doesn't really show it, but the water is moving quite fast. The heat wave from last week has created high water (for here).

The birds are not very respectful of Bette.

Expansion joints Valdez style

Our only wildlife sighting