The raccoons have been a surprising and somewhat confusing group this year. Last year we had the mom and her little group of five babies. They were clearly together and came each night at about the same time.
This year we have a “come and go” group. Obviously some are from last year’s litter, one is the mom, and three are this year’s babies. However, they arrive at different times and from different directions. Two of the babies are practically joined at the hip, and the other one doesn’t even come with them at the same time, but usually arrives later with their mom. One of the older raccoons is quite aggressive toward the younger ones and won’t eat near them. I put dog food out in six different piles to try to prevent confrontations.
An older raccoon comes to dinner about 7 each evening. He doesn’t eat much, and quickly leaves. This always amazes me- there is a lot of food in the yard, but he never tries to eat all of it. These two pictured are usually next and they are little monkeys! They always arrive together, rolling and tumbling and exploring the yard before they settle down to eat. They usually eat the same way, the light one in front of the other. Next are the mom and the other sibling. Then three older ones arrive, so by the time we go to bed there are seven finishing off the last morsels of dog food. Then they move on to see what the birds have left in the feeders and the cat has left on the front porch. At least they leave the trash and the compost pile alone and that makes me happy!
These photos aren’t the greatest- shot through a window I seriously need to wash. Lol But I know you can see the personalities of these two mischievous critters.
They look like they are so much fun to watch.
Posted by: Marilyn Crabtree | July 18, 2011 at 11:53 AM
You need to write a children's book about raccoons when all is said and done.
Posted by: Megan | July 21, 2011 at 09:19 PM