Saturday, January 15, 2022

99% SURE THIS IS THE CULPRIT

One of the reasons I started putting out the feeders again is that our bear seen locally raiding them was in hibernation.  I didn't take into account raccoons I also thought hibernated at this time of the year.  Apparently not! I didn't actually catch him in the act of stealing the owl-shaped seed ball, but it seems strange that our ambidextrous seed eater turned up the next night after it disappeared.   These are very short videos, 15 seconds each.  

I found the following information at this website.
"Although they don’t hibernate, raccoons do hole up in dens during the bitterest days of winter and are able to sleep for long stretches of time – up to a month – without heading out into the elements. The extra layer of fat they add during the fall – about one-third of their total weight – helps provide insulation, along with a heavy coat of coarse fur. Raccoons, though typically solitary creatures, will sometimes den in groups during very cold weather."
The word "raccoon" comes from an Algonquin word "aroughcoune," meaning "one who scratches with his hands."  A new bit of information for me.
"Dens range from tree cavities and underground burrows to abandoned buildings and, sometimes, unused chimneys. And raccoons are not above kicking some other animal out of its warm den to take over."
You can read more information at the link I provided under the second video.   The following are still-photos taken with the same bird cam.
Whatever your opinion of them is, and I know they can be complete and utter pests, I have never had any issues and have always found them endearing.
  That's not to say I want to get too close as they are after all wild animals, and I will always keep my common sense about me.  I certainly do not want to encourage them.  
For the last couple of nights our little visitor has not returned, and I hope it stays that way, for them and for the sake of our neighborhood pets.  They also love to get into trash cans trying to find food, and with those nimble little fingers, can get the lid of one very fast, so I am told.
Also, Gregg thinks he may have spotted the missing owl seed ball not too far from our deck.  It's in a very muddy area and we are going to wait for the ground to dry up before retrieving it.  Hopefully all it will need is a bit of a wash.  We are expecting another snowstorm on Sunday.  The weather forecasters promise us only three inches this time.  
The Cardinal was there to lend his support to Squirrel, and was also very thankful the raccoon had left some bird seed for his morning snack.




48 comments:

  1. I suspect you are right about the culprit - and hope that you can recover the seed ball.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yep, I think you found the culprit! We are to get about ten inches here on Sunday. And we are not very far away from you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Ginny and my goodness on your 10 inches of snow!!! Stay safe and keep warm :)

      Delete
  3. Culprit or not, it sure is cute!!
    I loved finding out what the word means.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Anni, I found that word interesting too :) and yes so cute!

      Delete
  4. The images of a racoon are interesting. It's fascinating that you get racoons wandering around at night looking for food just as badgers do over here. I hope you can retrieve the seed ball and you don't get too much snow again for your sake and the animals' welfare when they need all the food they can get.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Linda :) I have often thought of the badger when raccoons are around. I agree, I do hope all will be safe with this weather coming in.

      Delete
  5. LOL, it wasn't me! I thought it was a raccoon. They can be brave coming out in the daylight too. Great vidoes and photos. Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Eileen, happy this gave you a chuckle :) Happy weekend also.

      Delete
  6. Yes, I bet it was the raccoon. A long time ago I lived in an area that had a lot of raccoons and we had problems with them getting in the garbage and tearing it apart. We started putting our garbage in a shed and they figured out how to slide the doors open and still got in the garbage.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Interesting Ann! That would come under the heading of where there’s a will, there’s a way. I have read they are clever and smart.

      Delete
  7. Great videos and interesting facts Denise. I knew yesterday that you had found the culprit - of course it wasn't the cute little squirrels lol. I do hope it's the missing owl seed ball that Gregg has spotted too. Stay bundled up and warm this weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Martha, glad you enjoyed :) Haven't looked for the seedball yet but will today before it snows again. I'll be staying inside with a blankie around me, lol!

      Delete
  8. I was right! And I love the "Peace to all!" at the end of your post with that cute raccoon. I agree -- they're super cute -- till they are in your chimney!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL, thank you Jeanie, if they ever get in our chimney I might have to reconsider :) but for now...

      Delete
  9. Yup it was a raccoon! Good sleuthing Denise.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am my father's daughter, at least in the natural world, lol! Thanks Christine :)

      Delete
  10. OMG, so cute! I am sharing this so my daughters can see it.💗

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's great, thank you Linda, so happy you are sharing with your daughters :)

      Delete
  11. Racoons can be a nuisance and are very competitive and push other critters around. They are vicious fighters so keep your distance.

    ReplyDelete
  12. if you were taking bets on the culprit, I would put all my money on the adorable raccoon. I laughed all the way through the videos and watched the 2nd one twice. he is just to funny. looks like he is a teen ager, not full grown. he also looks like the basket of seed is a feed bag like a horse would eat from. I stopped putting out food for the squirrels because it draws the raccoons and they do not mix well with dogs in the back yard. but I do think they are cute

    ReplyDelete
  13. That's hilarious. I love your videos.
    I ordered my trail cam and I should have it Monday or so and up and going soon thereafter, if all goes well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So glad Yogi, and I am looking forward to seeing your trail cam photos. Keeping fingers crossed that all goes well :)

      Delete
  14. We certainly see less of them in the fall, but they are out and about sometimes. I'm rather fond of them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too William, very fond of them as I have wonderful memories from when I first saw my first one when I came to America 46 years ago :)

      Delete
  15. I did enjoy the videos, the trail cam picks up such amazing shots.
    Lets hope they may stay away now!

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy you enjoyed Jan and yes, let's hope :) All the best to you too.

      Delete
  16. I'd say your healthy raccoon has visited many feeders in your neighborhood, Denise. He's a big boy! I love seeing your videos of him and his dexterity. They are amazing, though can cause damage if they find a way into an attic.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, he looks it doesn't he? :) And I wouldn't want them in my attic :)

      Delete
  17. You really have little visitors all the time. Wonderful captures with the cam. Have a beautiful week and stay safe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Carol, and you have a beautiful and safe week also :)

      Delete
  18. oh dear...everyone has to eat!! i have had trouble with raccoons pooping on my brand new deck!! same spot, every single night and it was not pretty!! we bought an owl on amazon, it detects motion and then it hoots and it's eye's light up...it works like a charm, no more poop!!

    the videos were great, i really enjoy the ones you share!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh my goodness, that would not be good. Thankfully we don't seem to have that problem on our deck. The owl sounds a 'hoot', lol! Glad it works. Thanks Debbie :)

      Delete
  19. Haha … looks like you found the guilty party alright! In my neck of the woods raccoons never seem to sleep, especially at night when they crawl about unseen over rooftops and digging up the ground. This is one species that apparently is NOT endangered. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's interesting Penelope. They are usually nocturnal here too. Not endangered at all :)

      Delete
  20. I love that trail cam. I have several funny raccoon stories all from before digital camera, maybe some day I'll get a picture of one and have an excuse to share them.!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We love it too Sallie, and I would love to hear those raccoon stories and see those photos!!! Please share them any time :)

      Delete
  21. Love this, and yup, I think you've found your culprit.
    Great video clips and photos.
    Hope you can recover the owl head. If it was the racoon that took it, why wouldn't it have eaten it? Just curious.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Great Granny Grandma :) An interesting thought, and alas we did not recover the Owl. Oh well!

      Delete

Thank you so for taking the time to leave a comment. I enjoy reading them very much and always try to return a visit. As I do monitor comments it may take a while for them to appear, even quite late depending on what is going on and how much time I am able to spend on the computer.

I appreciate all who look at my blog, but I won't be publishing any businesses. If you are only able to publish anonymously, would you sign your name please, and leave an addy so I can return your visit where possible? Thank you!