Smokey's Webcam!

Wondering what our five little bear cubs are up to? Check out the webcam!

PLEASE help keep the webcam going! Please make a donation with the button below. This is not cheap and we are allowing access to the webcam -- at no charge -- rather than making a minimum charge for 15 minutes or something similar.  Please, if you like the camera, we would ask that you make a nominal donation which will allow us to keep it going.  Thank you! 

               

                       

            

Comments

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=569737833]

Linda - I agree. It's even nice to see them sleeping. But I'll sure miss them. Hope to see you again at the training class in the spring. I'm really going to try to be there.

[Linda, Redding, CA.]

That toy was on a rope in the play area til they got it down. Looks like they still want to play with things! Cute! I'm so thankful we get to watch their hibernation process....we didn't have that with the 6 pac.

Bear Hugs!

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=569737833]

Where did the chartreuse toy come from?

[Tina]

I tell people that we as humans have alot to learn from our animal friends. Good story Lench of Lord Earl. Im trying to learn from two Red Earred Slider turtles right now. I inherited them from a co-worker who moved to New Zealand and wanted me to have them. Of course I couldnt say no. But the girls are a lot harder to learn from than Iggy, my box turtle that is burrowed and warm right now.

[Linda - Citrus Heights, CA]

Spoke to soon. The camera just switched back to the sleeping area!

[Linda - Citrus Heights, CA]

Oh, we're back to the playroom now. Now all we have to do is hope that the cubs are in the mood to play a little and not sleep all day. Crossing the fingers and toes, I am!

[Vicki E - Tucson, AZ]

good one Lencho! Is this Brother and Sister that has been sleeping here under this platform? Wonder where the other kids all are? Could they be sleeping in the den? I can't tell if there are three (3) sleeping here...

Brother is up...he is doing a good job of grooming... probably trying to wake everyone up to play...Lil Sis wouldn't be so polite... =)

This picture is of Maynard when he first joined us. This is at feeding time...

[Linda - Citrus Heights, CA]

Lencho, that's very funny about Earl Grey. It does seem like he knew what you were going to do for him. Thanks for all the intresting facts. Especially about the lack of dehydration on hybernating bears. That was very informative. I enjoyed it. :-)

[Lencho]

Spirit Bears are usually solitary, except females with offspring.

Males keep large home ranges overlapping with smaller ranges of several females.

[Lencho]

Hibernation

Even though a hibernating bear drinks no water, it does not become dehydrated. In a 1973 study found that the three hibernating bears were in "almost perfect water balance" after about 100 days of hibernation, during which they swallowed not a single drop of water.
Researchers want to learn how bears accomplish this metabolic feat, during which the amount of urine entering the kidneys drops by 95 percent, in hopes of using the information to help treat people suffering from chronic kidney failure.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/satoyama/hibernation2.html

[Lencho]

Further Tales of Earl Grey.

As some of you know My Sweetheart Carol has a pet Lopp Eared Rabbit named Earl. Carol has been working nights so have been taking care of the little lagomorph.

Last night I was about to feed him and loooked under the bed & he's had his nose in his food dish eating his alfalfa pellets.
He raised his eyes, saw me, put his nose under the lip of the dish & pushed it to me twice, then grabbed it with his mouth & dumped the old pellets out as if to say

"Could you freshen these up for me old man?"

It took me about 5 minutes to stop laughing. I am now calling him Lord Earl The Grey.

[Willow]

I will really miss watching the cubs. The blog will slow down, just like the cubs are doing now. The great part of this year is the Li'l Smokey Family. I've met so many nice people & have friends for life. Some people blog occasionaly and we think it is great you join us, we would like to hear more from you. The family is on facebook & we will continue our friendships through there. This is a great place-caring, sharing, educational and the love of animals. Karen it was an accident but your Thumbelina left a legacy. Do you realize how many people you are educating on the dangers of the air cleaner? When we read this we share information with our friends and family. You may not realize it now but it may just save another animals life in the future. I will still be keeping in touch with my new family after the cubs go home. May all of you have a safe & wonderful holiday!

[lil smokeys buddy]

the little sleepy heads up moving around....

[Kat, NC]

Wow our sleepyheads are wide awake and playing away. So fun to watch them!

[Vicki E - Tucson, AZ]

Hello little sleepy heads...we would love to see you up playing, but we realize that it is time for you to be sleeping... =(

[Vicki E - Tucson, AZ]

Lencho - thank you for reminding us so clearly what it was like the day our Lil Smokes went home. You put our thoughts and feelings so clearly into words. You have such a gift. Thank you! I hope that you and Carol have a very Merry Christmas also!

Let me know when and where you will be going on your bear sighting expedition. I would love to go with you both. Wouldn't that be awesome - to post pictures of bears from here? Karen has my email address and hopefully my phone number that if you are interested, please contact her for them. I would love to meet both you and Carol.

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=569737833]

Thanks, Lencho and Merry Christmas, everyone. I just sent my donation to LTWC. Thank you for all your great work.

[Lencho]

Spirit bears

Like most black bears, Spirit bears omnivores. They eat berries, nuts, fruits, roots, grasses and other plants, insects, deer and moose fawns, carrion and, during the salmon season from late summer through fall, spawning salmon.

http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2005-2009/2006AL0002-000066-Attachment3.htm

[Lencho]

Hibernation

Hibernating bears have cholesterol levels are more than twice what they are in summer (and more than two times higher than those of most people). But bears evince no signs of hardening of the arteries or the formation of cholesterol gallstones.
Research has shown that hibernating bears generate a form of bile acid that, when administered to people, dissolves gallstones, eliminating the need for surgery.
Despite being cooped up in a space about the size of a doghouse, hibernating black bears also appear to avoid muscle cramping and degenerative bone loss. How they accomplish this remains a mystery.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/satoyama/hibernation2.html

[Lencho]

I remember the igloo door stuffed with hay and a little snout sticking out on some days and how LS had his stuffed toys and a red ball in his little den and how when they came to pull him out he stacked the hay back in the entrance as fast as they pulled it out and in a final defiant gesture shot that red ball out like a bullet. Some of us were watching live and hitting the refresh button every minute or so and feeling giddy and sad and a part of it all though we only viewing it from far away. I recall a wave from Tom or was it Cheryl and then LS was gone.
And later the wonderful video of LS’s release into the wild, his Fierce Dislike for human creatures intact and expressed, and then wonderful sound of his snoring that had me laughing and reviewing the video over and over again. Seeing him place in the wild, in a den made by humans, and how wonderful everyone who was there felt.
I am so thankful for the reports from F&G that have let us know he’s alive and doing well.
I remember the sadness of hearing about Yosemite Girls fate, and yet knowing that she died in the wild helped a little.
Watching all the cubs since then I have come to see what a strong personality LS had and that each of these bear is unique too. I confess to not having followed this batch as closely as I would have liked to, but I have become so attached to the Little Loner bear for some many reasons.
Getting to watch these cubs over time has made me see how similar they are to their cousin the dog. There is much of the puppy in a cub and vice versa.
My heart won’t be as broken this time, nor as joyful, but still it is so satisfying and heartening to see LTWC help turn tragedy, ignorance, and brutality, into something good and in doing so, fostering a community and increasing knowledge.
I post the quotes from the bear experts to add my little part to the educational aspect of the blog and for the record it is as much for my education as it is for anyone else who reads the information. For those of you who have been around some time you have seen I am a firm believer in REVIEW to keep the knowledge fresh.
I have learned so much from you all and this experience. I thank you all for sharing your lives and your kind words to me when they were needed.
I look forward to the next batch of bears, even though I wish there was no need to bring them to LTWC, because I have come to love this unique and fascinating animal, and it is such blessing to be able to see them with just a click of a mouse.
My Sweetheart Carol and I are talking about going on a bear sighting expedition in the mountains near Tucson. I hope someday to see them in the wild. I can’t tell you what a thrill it was to come across a single paw print when we were hiking a few weeks ago. Don’t worry, Carol spent 15 years a National Park Ranger, so it will be safety first for the bears and us.
I am so thankful to Tom and Cheryl and Karen and everyone at LTWC for the wonderful work they do.
My check is in the mail, I hope yours is too!
Happy Holidays to everyone!

[Vicki E - Tucson, AZ]

Good morning Family! Sue, that brought back a lot of memories...like Sharon said, happy AND heartbreaking... mucho leaky eyes now though...I am trying to stop the flow before many more folks walk by the window of my office and see the tears flowing...yep, time to start collecting kleenex again...hopefully it will be easier watching this current group be set free than it was watching our favorite little bear Lil Smokey. Plus, it was hard watching Patches looking for his playmates - so, it might not be as easy as we are hoping that it will be...

These are bitter-sweet times. I want to watch the cubbies as much as I can (even if it is just watching them sleeping) but it is hard knowing that we don't have much time left with them. I hope that they are warm enough. I remember Lil Smokey hunkered in his igloo with the straw pulled in covering the front door - not going to let in any cold air, and here these guys just have the straw and pine needles with open air. Especially the poor little guy that doesn't have anyone to cover his back...

Oh well, back to work I had better go! Hope you all have a wonderful day.

Tom and Cheryl and all the volunteers, thank you for all that you do! We truly appreciate you, your love of all animals and you sharing that love with us. Thank you all and we are wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

[Kat, NC]

Lovely sentiment, Sue from Redding!

[SuEllen from CT]

Karen, I am so sorry for your loss of your beloved bird. I have an african grey, named bailey. She is a true joy to me and I can not fathom your loss, as i know my life would be very empty without her. If you ever need a birdie fix, just let me know, you can meet bailey, she loves to be held! Boston is not so far from Connecticut, actually we will be there on the 23rd of december! Happy holidays to you and your family.
all my best, SuEllen

[SuEllen from CT]

Good morning my L'il smokey and cubby family.

Sue, Thank you so much for the fond and loving memories. It is very hard to believe that it has already been a year since we watched our beloved baby settle in for his long winter nap, and a new life of freedom. Sharon pass the tissues this wasy please.......oh the tears.
Watching smokey go was one of the hardest things to watch for me and knowing I had no control over it...knowing that it was the best for him, but oh how we worried about our baby..would he be ok, would he be lonely, make friends...be safe from harms way.

This year to me will be a little easier, but not much. These cubbies have each other, and they were healthy from the get go! F&G had better put them together or I am coming back out to california to Slap someone around!!!! LOL

With the long winters nap for these precious five, also comes our slumber from our blog, and that is going to be harder on me this year. I know that I have WIllow, Vickie, Linda, Vicky and Sharon, Lencho, Tom, Cheryl and Karen.... and many many others on FB and Texting and Email, but i will still miss you all. After getting to meet you all, and hug you for real and just sit and talk and share so much with everyone at LTWC this summer, you have become my family and to me there is nothing more special and precious than that to me......

for all your love and support of me and my children (especialy Miss Alex)I thank you and wish you all the best this holiday season.

TO Tom and cheryl, for all that you do for us, and put up with us (oh how we love to ask questions). I wish you much joy, peace and happiness, as you have given so much to me and my family.

All my love, and big bears hugs...and a few slaps!
SuEllen, Rick, Austin, Alex and Ethan!

[Karen V. Stefanini]

Dear Sue from Redding,

Thank you for your lovely condolence message and also the heartwarming and beautifully written essay of all the wonderful memories of our experiences with LTWC. Although mine have been across the miles, they were very moving and inspiring.

Submitted by:

Karen, Beautiful Back Bay, Boston

[sharon from sacramento]

gosh darn it sue,,,,,,,,,,
you brought back memories,,, happy and heart breaking and with them the water works are running,,,,,,,,,,

but,,,,,,,

THANK YOU !!

[Joanne in Redding]

Very nice Sue--I think you speak for all of us. I am finding it harder each day to watch the little cubbies looking for food & toys and not finding anything. I will miss them a lot. You hate to say that there will be others because that means there had to be some sort of tragedy for them to even be at LTWC but we do look forward to seeing them. Merry Christmas everyone.

[Sue from Redding]

A year ago we prepared ourselves
for the long watch.
We checked the igloo piled high with hay
No movement yet we knew he was there
Preparing for his journey and preparing us as well
We knew soon he would leave us and soon we would feel saddened
A sign would replace the view of our friend’s home.
We watched that morning as they came to take him
Our hearts were full as we knew this moment was what it was all about
We had planned in our mind what our thoughts would be
And yet to see the sign
Gone Home
for a moment broke our hearts
He was gone
Now we watch five restless ones not quite ready for slumber
We will watch and wait for light to go out
And say a Christmas prayer that this February
Our five beautiful cubs will go home
and live their life wild and free like our friend with the red shoes.

Our hearts are full this Christmas season because the the relationship each of us has with Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care.

Merry Christmas to each and everyone of you
and Tom & Cheryl
Thank you.

[Sue from Redding]

Karen from beautiful back bay Boston,
Just wanted to let you know I am sorry for the loss of your feathered friend. Our pets are so special to us and the loss is never easy.
I hope you find comfort here with Lil Smokey's family.

[Mimi Routh - Mount Shasta, CA]

Nobody in the picture! All gone next door to watch cartoons! A few minutes ago I saw them, all moving -- just little brown blurs! And sometimes it sure looks like they're hoping to find a carrot. Thanks for info, Kat! Duh!

[Karen V. Stefanini]

Dear Tom, Cheryl and Staff, Thanks once again for being so wonderful to all the injured and orphaned animals that receive such loving and expert care at Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care.

Also, thank you to the L'il Smokey fans family bloggers who submitted kind and very welcome condolences on our devastating loss. We are linking it to the new air cleaner that has ionizing and although it is thought to be safe for birds, there are more and more reports to the contrary. They are actually discontinuing ours. She was fit as a fiddle and the prolonged passing of the egg is now thought to be from her being slowly poisoned by the ionizing cleaner that I placed across from her cage two days prior to her passing. My husband and I are absolutely devastated as she was fit as a fiddle and in robust health prior. Once again, thanks for your messages of sympathy.
Karen from Beautiful Back Bay, Boston

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=569737833]

It's amazing they still have the energy to play after not eating for a couple weeks. Bears are amazing.

[Kat, NC]

Hi Mimi, Tom posted before:

The calendars will sell for $15 in person, or $20, (including S & H) from our web site. Hopefully, Karen will be able to get the info up on our web site this weekend. If you would like one, just go to the 'Donate Now' button and, under "Comments", just say 2010 LTWC Calendar.

Hope that helps.

Looking good bearybrats, we sure are gonna miss you when the lights go off!

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=569737833]

Cubs like the light on--keeping them active. Enjoying it while we can.

[Mimi Routh - Mount Shasta, CA]

The cubs are moving around today. About half of them up on the shelf. Whole new perspective leaning down from the shelf to pester another cub! ... As to calendars, I don't see anywhere to click to buy a calendar. Good that Tom and Cheryl are getting away to where it's warm(er).

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=569737833]

Tom - Thanks for the info on the lights. I will be watching our cubs every chance I get. Hope you and Chery have a wonderful Christmas. Thanks for being there for all the helpless creatures.

[Tom @ Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care]

Good evening all. First, as we have told you before, due to the cold temperatures, when (and if) we turn off the light in the 'Feed Area', it takes forever for the balast to get warm enough for the flourescent lights to come on. So, we have been leaving the light on. AND - - - we will continue to leave the light on, until Cheryl and I leave for Southern California, which will be the day after Christmas.

That means that you will have about 11 more days to get your bear cubby fix until we leave and turn the lights off. They will not be turned on again until F & G or the wildlife biologists from Yosemite come to get the cubs for release.

They are all doing very well. We don't go in that often, but, the good part is, when we do go in, to give them some fresh water - before it freezes - they all scamper into the Den Area.

Hope everyone is doing well. Don't forget, we have the calendars in now.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Tom and Cheryl

[Patti. Redding, Ca.]

This is for Linda in Citrus Heights. Just read your blog. for the cubs. You mentioned the "Rainbow Bridge." My father used to tell me he would meet me on the "Rainbow Bridge." Oh, so many years ago. Have never heard that expression since he said it until tonight. Love it. Thank you.

[Mimi Routh - Mount Shasta, CA]

Wow, bears! Guess they paid the light bill! Just now the little girl climbed down from the shelf. Now she's bothering the guys and climbing the tree. Lovely!

[Linda - Citrus Heights, CA]

Well finally, we get to see the cubbies. But now I have to go home so I missed this all day till now. Oh well, hopefully tomorrow will be better! Have a good evening everyone!

[Kat, NC]

I need bears!!!!!! what's up with the cam?

Here's a story overseas that shows how hardy and hearty animals are. The owner who hurt this puppy should have the same done to him, but luckily they have their own "LTWC" for dogs to take care of him
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/photo-gallery/gallery-e6frf94x-1225752874971

[Linda - Citrus Heights, CA]

I guess we're not going to get to see the cubbies today. So sad. I needed my fix. Oh Karen, so sorry about your baby. She'll be waiting for you on the other side of Rainbow Bridge, just be patient. Warm hugs to you!

[Mimi Routh - Mount Shasta, CA]

Bears? It's too dark to see! It's 10 a.m. in California. ?Que paso?

[Kat, NC]

Karen, my thoughts are with you and your family.
Kat

[Willow Allie]

Good morning! The light must be out because it's light enough to see them now. They are slowly getting us ready for their hibernation & leaving us. I miss them swinging on that tire! At least we have pictures to remember their playing.

[Vicki E - Tucson, AZ]

Oh Karen! I am so sorry to hear about Thumbelina! I had a peach-face lovebird also. They are such lovable characters! I am glad that you have Cookie at least... My thoughts and prayers will be with you at this terrible time for you and your family...
It is very hard to loose someone you love - but remember that you have us here that understands what you are gonig through and we will support you in any way that we can...

Bear (((hugs))) coming your way... =(

[Lencho]

Karen,

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your compainion. I had forgotten about the longevity of some birds. With a dog you know the time is relitivle short, but with some birds the expectaion is for a longer relatinship. And they can be so affectionte. My father had a cockatiel (now 170 who would have coffee with him every morning and was also always the first to signal the arrival of visitors, even before the dogs.
It it is clear to me that the love is mutual between pets and their owners. Though the animal's capsity for love may be limited one can sense it if one pays attention.
The loss of a loved one is never limited by the species we love. It is only limited by our love for them.
God Bless you.

[Patty]

Oh, How sweet, they're raking in more pine needles for their little den.

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=569737833]

We have one restless cub here.

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=569737833]

Karen - I'm sorry about your Thumbelina. It's so sad to lose our little loved ones. Take comfort in knowing you gave her a really good life and she loved you as much as you did her.