An odd surprise!

A few days before Christmas, we came home and peeked outside. To our surprise, the possum was eating out of one of the pots - and three raccoons were eating out of the other! No one seemed to mind the other, there was plenty for everyone. I couldn't get pictures because everytime I open the door the possum runs off. It's happened once more since then, so maybe someday I will capture it to share.

October

October was a rough month for me, two major losses in my life, so the raccoon fell to the wayside. But we have still been having visitors almost every night and they are quite the little piggies! Perhaps fattening up for winter? The other night my favorite family of all time came to visit and here are a few shots of them (Stubby's family):

Who are you???

It's getting to the point now where the babies are all grown up and starting to come on their own, or in smaller groups. It's hard for me to tell who is who anymore. I can tell when they know me, but I don't know exactly who they are. I still love 'em all just the same.

A different visitor

Sorry for the crappy image, but I couldn't open the door, it would made him R-U-N-N-O-F-T.

Mish Mash

Last night I looked out and we had a BUNCH of raccoons out there. Hard for me to be sure who they all were. It looked like some of Stubby's kids, some of the Giggles Gang and the first mom from the summer - a weird combo! But they all seemed to get along. Mostly.

The Giggles Gang

They were nice enough to pose for a family portrait for me. Mom is on the far right.

Sweetie's Family minus Snapper

It's time to face a sad reality. I haven't seen Snapper for months. Odds are he did not run off to join the circus, or strike out on his own to form a rock band with the other rebels. But maybe it's just like Jessica Simpsons dog and a coyote "kidnapped" him. Should I put out some flyers?

Regardless, Sweetie and the remaining two kits came by last night for some party nosh and crackers.

The Debut of the new "Magic Pot"

This is Giggles Mom's kids on the first night of the brand new "magic pot".

Giggles Mom and the Kids Pt. II

When we have a bunch of coons standing on their hind leds peering in the back door odds are it's Stubby and crew. It happened tonight and it was not! Giggle's Mom and the gang were doing old "Hey Lady...You forgot to put our food out! Please feed me before I faint here on the spot" routine. So I did.

And it's been awhile since I've posted a video, so this occassion seemed right for one. It's a little dark at the beginning, but still so cute!






I'm pretty sure this is Bob Jr.

Crackers From Costco

The first time I bought 7 large boxes of cracker from Costco - with four regular boxes in side (7x4=28) back in April, I thought for sure it was enough to last all summer. I'm not almost out of the second round of that many crackers. These kids are hungry for crackers.

Stubby's family has been to visit a couple nights in a row. These pics are from last night. The before I decided to just enjoy them without flashing them.

Giggles Mom and the Kids

For those of you new to the blog - Giggles was a very special raccoon. He and I had a very close bond (he is pictured in the header). It's been about two years since I've seen him or his brother Shadow, I assume they have moved on to another territory as the males seem to do. This year his mom is still coming around, and has new kits, and these are from last nights visit:

Back for a 2am Snack

Seriously...how much cuter can you get?!


He tried to come in farther, but I had to put down the camera to keep him from making himself at home!

Self Serve Night with my Favorite Family

My little family came to visit me again tonight, so I laid out a self-serve buffet. True to form, they were very respectful and sweet - taking only one cracker at a time, not trying to grab the whole package like some others in the past (yes Snapper, I'm talkin' to you!) ;o) The thing I really love about them is how at home they feel here. They eat, they play, they nap. Basically whatever they want to do and my presence doesn't dissuade them at all. To them, I'm almost one of the group, and that is fine with me.

Have I mentioned.... I LOVE THESE KIDS!!

Another great visit from Stubby and her family. LOVE THEM. They rock (and they help with the gardening).

Sweetie and the Girls

Giggles Relatives are Always Welcome

Last night was a visit from Giggle's Mom (who really does deserve a name, but will forever in my mind be Giggles Mom) and her three kits. They are all very sweet, but very different than Giggles, Shadow and Cindy Lou. On this evening, they partook of the crackers, played in the yard a bit, and then got in a pile and took a nap by the water dish.






Do older raccoons have problems with their eyes? Both she and Stubby seem to have cateracts or something.... ???