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• 10/25/09

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The dominant female (outside the photo to the left) starts the group off again and the large female turns to follow with a bounce in her step. The yearling female (right side) brings up the rear; all three of the pups immediately perk up and rush to her w

• 10/25/09

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The group continues traveling upriver, with the dominant female (light-colored) and larger female (on her right) doing most of the leading.

• 10/25/09

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With the tan pup safely climbing the bank, the yearling immediately springs into action to help the black pup, who is almost across but still in the current. Note how laser-like she is focusing on the black pup. I was not able to photograph the final scen

• 10/25/09

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The large female is in the mood for play (“ambush” ;) as the two pups pass by after climbing out of the river. Understandably, they are not as eager to play at the moment as they normally would be.

• 10/25/09

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• 10/25/09

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• 10/25/09

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The yearling (standing), now joined by the large female, encourages the pups to try again.

• 10/25/09

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After a few minutes, the pups try again. A tan pup crosses, followed by the black pup. The tan pup makes it across but by not starting far enough upstream ends up having a little difficulty climbing out of the current along a cut-bank. The black pup is a

• 10/25/09