I guess anyone that reads many of my articles knows how I love nature. I like watching the animals and birds. For some reason they seem more afraid of humans and other animals here than they seem to in other places.
We leave food out for the coons and possums and any other animal that wants to come and get some. The coons and possums are the two animals that come around regularly. Stray cats come around sometimes. By watching them some at night I’m learning a little about them. Coons in particular seem more easily frighten, or at least more cautious.
In the past I’ve stayed mostly inside and watched them through glass panes in the door or by looking out windows. Lately, to try and get photos for one reason, I’ve been trying to get the door open. The glass door I have propped open.
If I open the door fast, they take off in a hurry. If I ease the door open when they are looking in the other direction or picking up food I can usually get the door open and have got some photos.
I’ve also been trying to get them use to me. I’ll start off several feet inside the door and slowly move to the door. Often I will get to the door without frightening them. I’ve also started talking to them. Some run off as soon as I make any noise, but a few stay when I talk to them.
I know better than to get real close even if I could. If frightened they can be vicious. I will try to get closer than I have been. I’ve heard of people having coons eat out of their hands. I believe these are probably too leery for that.
I’ll keep watching and trying to get closer and see what happens.
I published a photo of a coon at the food pan which can be seen by clicking on the link below.
http://www.gather.com/viewImage.jsp?fileId=3096224744329249&memberId=67122
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Comments: 40
I will add, be careful what you wish for though. I haven't had much experience with Raccoons, but I know possums:) My girlfriend's mom in high school ran a possum rescue out of her house. Since then I have even had the opportunity to get up close and personal with them. They got so comfy at our house that one decided to have her babies in the engine compartment of my dad's car.
The mother was somewhat comfortable with us, so we were able to remove her. The babies, well.......my dad got bitten and had to get stitches and the whole rabies shots thing. It wasn't fun!
Raccoons are interesting animals aren't they? We used to have raccoons in our barn and an old mama opossum that would bring her babies to eat apples under our trees in the back yard. We had a big flat boulder that we fed the birds on so there was a lot of wildlife to see. I live "in town" now and work evenings so I do not get many chances to see what goes on at dusk around here anymore. I have back yard envy - Ha Ha!