Bald Eagles, Bear Cubs, and Hermit Bill: Memories of a Wildlife Biologist in Maine

by Ron Joseph

In Bald Eagles, Bear Cubs, and Memoirs of a Wildlife Biologist , Ron shares his stories of growing up in rural Maine, working as a wildlife biologist, and meeting Mainers like retired dairy farmers Ruth and Martin French of Dover-Foxcroft, who repurposed their barn's empty cow stalls into a wildlife rehabilitation center. The couple specialized in rescuing orphaned bear cubs, providing solitary cubs with teddy bears as temporary surrogate litter mates while biologists scrambled to find sow bears willing to adopt the orphans. The book includes humorous stories, such as one about the time he had to count piles of deer dung on designated mile-long lines and encountered a woman who bluntly asked, “So you went to college for that?” Other stories border on the absurd, including one of an influential legislator who pressured Ron to spray concentrated wolf urine on 30 miles of Route 201 in a harebrained waste of taxpayer money to supposedly reduce moose-vehicle collisions. Many of the book's stories have previously been published in Down East, Maine Boats Homes and Harbors, Bangor Daily News, Moosehead Messenger, PenBay Pilot , and elsewhere.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature

240 pages, Paperback

Published May 30, 2023

Reviews

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

A narrative of the life and experiences of a Maine wildlife biologist Ron Joseph.
If you have an interest in wild life and the history of Maine- and some of it's quirky inhabitants-this is the book for you.
I share the authors grave concern regarding climate change and how it impacts wildlife.
I have a mild complaint, Joseph couldn't mention footwear without plugging LL Bean. Though maybe that's just a Maine thing?

[JoAnn Plante · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book. It is a series of short stories regarding the life of a wildlife biologist. It also gives some insight into Maine life in the early twentieth century.
The stories are not gory. The author gives the reader some insight into how the wildlife biologist looks at nature and the lifestyles of some of the woodland creatures. Although the author does not get attached to the animals he helps, he still feels bad when things don't go as planned and he talks about that in the book.
The author spends a lot of time on bird stories and gives a lot of factual data. Some of it is amazing to read.
I liked the book because it was based on real-life events. The stories were told by someone who lived them and had real knowledge of how intricate nature can be. It was easy to read and if I had to put it down, I could easily continue reading as if there was no break.
If you enjoy reading about nature and the habits of animals, this book is for you.

[Randal White · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look into the career of a long-time Wildlife Biologist in Maine. The author has written a series of interesting stories about his experiences. Many of them made me actually laugh out loud! He's a very good writer. The stories (chapters) can be read one at a time when the reader finds time, or read straight through. I suggest the former, as it's fun to ruminate on each story a bit. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in wildlife, conservation, Maine, or just the outdoors. It's a very fun read!

[Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, written by a longtime (now retired) Maine Wildlife and Fisheries biologist, had many interesting chapters about his life and work in Maine, and the people and animals he met during his career. Some of the chapters were previously published in local publications (and they sure read like newspaper articles). I felt like I was "listening" to an older family member, who was telling me about his life.

[KJ Grow · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful collection from a lifelong Mainer and longtime wildlife biologist, who has immersed himself in living with and loving all creatures great and small. Ron clearly adores everything from Maine’s bugs, birds, fish, fowl, bears, moose, and the people who live here too. His piece about companies cutting down 300 year old cedars to build summer homes for the wealthy will break your heart.

[Jody · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up
This book is a series of short stories about the life of a Maine wildlife biologist and the changes in Maine’s ecology over time. Many of the stories made me cry or laugh. The book made me long for days in with woods and made me all too aware of the devastation of global warming and the harms inflicted by exploration of precious natural resources.

[Susan Allmendinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting nature read

I really enjoyed Ron's first book. After reading all the Paul Doiron Mike Bowditch series, so far, I find I like the Maine stories, fiction or non fiction. I highly recommend this book.

[Evie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is filled with fun and interesting observations and experiences of Maine wildlife. Ron Joseph is a great story teller which I was lucky to experience first hand many years ago at Claybrook lodge.

[Sherri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up in Mercer and loved reading Joseph’s tales of his time on his grandparents’ farm. His skill as a storyteller and his passion for the natural world come through in every chapter. Thoroughly enjoyable!

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute book full of short stories about living in Maine. I think you will enjoy this book more if you are from New England.

[Raa · Rating 4 out of 5]

lots of short snippets about living and working in Maine

[Paula G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellant book! Very interesting stories broken down in small chapters. If you love New England this is a must read!

[Sara Best · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a delightfully readable memoir about the author's life in Maine.

[Karl Bischoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read about the wildlife in Maine and the interesting personalities throughout the state. The memoir part of Ron's life is great too. He's a great storyteller!