Tuesday, February 5, 2019

YOU ARE BACK? I THOUGHT YOU WERE HIBERNATING?


I really did think he was hibernating.  Today, when I checked the deck cam there he was.  I have not seen him since the weather started cooling down, but the recent elevation in temperatures - it got up to 60 degrees F. yesterday - he must have gotten a little confused. 
Today it reached 71 degrees F.  I expect he will be back again tonight.
 He's welcome for a couple of nights or so.  I expect once the temperatures go down again he will return to his den and continue sleeping through until spring.
I know they can be a total pest and you have to watch out for rabies, but I have such fond memories of my first sighting of raccoons.  It was when I had lived in this country only for a few years.  I had seen them on TV growing up on Disney shows, the kind that had been given voices.  When we were in Monterey, California, at night they used to climb the trees up to our back deck when we lived in navy housing.  Along with our son and other kids in the neighborhood who were around three to five years' old, we all used to lie on our tummies with chins cupped in hands, studying them.  It was our very own nature picture show.  Raw eggs still in their shells had been rolled out before their arrival, and we watched as the delicate little paws of each raccoon grasped them and gently bit off the top of the egg.  They licked the contents clean and their tiny fingers swirled inside the shell to make sure nothing was left.  A story I have told before in the lifetime of my blogging.  But I think of those first sightings every time one appears.
Bye-bye you little rascal.  Go back to sleep until springtime.  There will be plenty of natural food for you to eat by then.

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Below are four mini-videos.  At the bottom of each video the date information and time is incorrect.  My batteries ran out and I forgot to reset the camera before putting it outside, same with the photos from the other day.  The photos and videos were taken yesterday, during the night and this morning.


















26 comments:

  1. Wow, these are awesome close-up videos! Raccoons are so cute. I love your memories about how they ate eggs!!

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  2. Wow! Your visitor is certainly persistent and consistent.

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    1. Hello Nasreen, where food is about they certainly are :)

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  3. I have never seen a raccoon except on your blog and in school books. Nothing like the real thing. Thank you, Denise.

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    1. I agree Valerie, nothing like the real thing. I forgot to peek out the window last night to see if he had arrived. I still have yet to check the latest photos.

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  4. I like the last two videos best because I can see closeup face and the ringed tail... I bet the warm weather said come out and get food while you can. he/she is really cute. I wish I could send you our 5, they are real pests, swimming in the pool, pooping on the deck, making dogs crazy... I would never feed them or any wild animals. I feel bad for them because they prefer to be away from people but we took their environment.. they are adorable though...I even think opossums are cute, so ugly they are cute. we have them to.

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    1. I loved that close up must say. The weather was an open invitation. I have started leaving the feeder empty in the warmer months, because I read an article about there being a lot of food in nature to eat. They need a lot of help in the winter though. I won't feed wild animals if I can help it. I love them but there are so many cats and dogs in the neighborhood, I don't want either side, pets or wildlife, to get hurt.

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  5. The Mimi videos are a close up treat thanks for sharing, never looked a raccoon in the eye!

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    1. Glad you enjoyed them Christine. I once looked a raccoon straight in the eye. An unexpected encounter when I went out on that deck back in our navy days. They were narrow decks, my neighbors and I shared those decks and was once visiting my next door neighbor who told me to come in the back way. The unexpected raccoon flew up the tree when I screamed. I have never been so close to a raccoon in my life and never have again. Poor raccoon :)

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  6. Delightful! I love the story of them eating eggs. How delicate.

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    1. Hello Jabblog, so glad. They can be very delicate eaters but if they get in the trash cans, oh boy ;)

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  7. As I understand it they do wake up in winter, but usually stick it out in their dens if the weather is cold, and may come out for milder times. This one probably won't be active there for another month.

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    1. Thanks for the info William, he came back again last night :) It was warmer than the night before and stayed around a lot longer.

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  8. He is pretty big – I wonder if it is a boy or a girl? Although both would be hungry I guess.

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    1. Yes I know I said 'he' but what I should have said was he/she or she/he :) I hate to say 'it'. They really don't seem like an 'it' to me :)

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  9. Hi Denise,
    Where ever you live in the World, nature supplies the lovable rogues, I feel your Raccoon fits this bill very well.
    Love the videos and images, wonderful quality.
    I'm sure the next time it becomes cold he will return to a deep sleep and see you in the Spring. I can understand the confusion going from snow and then up to 71 deg.
    All the best, John

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    1. How true John, couldn't have said it better myself. I'm glad you enjoyed them. This weather confuses me too. I went out in a sweater and a scarf yesterday when it got up to 71 degrees!

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  10. I really enjoyed seeing your raccoon - the videos are great. I can see why you like watching them and your story of earlier days is delightful.
    It's the same with possums here, they're responsible for a type of infection but we keep away from them, just watch!
    Wildlife is always fascinating isn't it and I always marvel at how resilient they are in extremes of weather.
    Cheerio and have a great rest of the week Denise :D) xx

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    1. I'm so glad Sue, yes it's better just to watch these lovely critters from a distance. As adorable as they are you can never be too careful. You enjoy the rest of your week also :) xx

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  11. Replies
    1. I know, he is cute but definitely a bit rascally :)

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  12. Lovely photos and very cute. I did not realise that rabies was a problem there though I have lived with it around for many years in Africa. Keep well Diane

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    1. Thank you Diane, yes there is rabies in the States. I didn't know about Africa. You keep well also :)

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