Can you tell what this is high up in our Ash tree. . . . .
If you guessed a raccoon, then you are correct. . . .
I discovered him/her this morning in my Secret Garden when I was hiding Easter eggs for Olivia. . . .
Here he is down in the Secret Garden. I took the photo through the lattice. . . .
When Olivia arrived we entered the Secret Garden and were startled to see him watching us. . . .
He quickly retreated to the tree. You can just see him start to climb up. . . .
Later I found him hiding behind the rocks. . . .
When I let Gabriel out he could sense the raccoon was nearby and started barking. The raccoon retreated up to the higher crook again and went to sleep. But that bird you see just behind him? Well, the bird hopped over and pecked him. . . .
"Did you want something?!" I think the bird just wanted to make sure he was OK. . . .
****❤️****
If you guessed a raccoon, then you are correct. . . .
I discovered him/her this morning in my Secret Garden when I was hiding Easter eggs for Olivia. . . .
Here he is down in the Secret Garden. I took the photo through the lattice. . . .
When Olivia arrived we entered the Secret Garden and were startled to see him watching us. . . .
And watched us from the lower crook in the tree. . . .
Later I found him hiding behind the rocks. . . .
When I let Gabriel out he could sense the raccoon was nearby and started barking. The raccoon retreated up to the higher crook again and went to sleep. But that bird you see just behind him? Well, the bird hopped over and pecked him. . . .
"Did you want something?!" I think the bird just wanted to make sure he was OK. . . .
Take Joy
How funny animals are. Maybe the racoon was curious about the eggs you were hiding. We've had them visit us too but it is usually in the dark of night and we have taken turns scaring each other on the back deck. Thanks for the sharing the great pictures.
ReplyDeleteThe eggs were plastic and he was there before I put the eggs out, so I'm thinking he found my little Secret Garden the perfect place to hide out......that is until he found out there was a dog "next door." He's nowhere to be seen this morning, so I'm assuming he went looking for a better place to hang out during the day.
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Adorable! Me thinks you will incorporate this in one of your chapters?
ReplyDeleteIsn't he! I wrote my story years ago, so I'll have to save him for a different story.
DeleteWonderful photos, Cathy! It looks like a young raccoon who may be lost from his/her mother. Because aren't they usually night animals?
ReplyDeleteYes, they are so I called animal control. They said the fact that it could climb a tree meant it was not sick at least. My understanding is that they leave their mother soon after two-months-old. They are born in April and May so this one is at least a year old. We haven't seen him this morning, so maybe Gabriel's barking has scared him off.
DeleteGreat photos of your visitor, Cathy. He wanted to join in the egg hunt with your granddaughter. We have had them in our yard and on our house. They can be destructive so I'm glad to see he or she has retreated. ♥
ReplyDeleteI was sorry to have it leave, but it would have annoyed Gabriel to no end so it was for the best.
DeleteWonderful pictures. They are so cute from a distance. Was Olivia excited to see him? I'm sure you had a nice time with her hunting eggs in your beautiful garden!
ReplyDeleteShe was actually a little scared. After it climbed the tree she had me hold her hand while we went to collect the egg.
DeleteLovely photos Cathy. He looks so well feed and groomed, that I wouldn't think it was a sick animal. That said, I'm glad Olivia didn't think it a pet. Children don't always have a sense of caution, I'm glad she reached for your hand. And Bravo! to Gabriel for sounding a warning to him!
ReplyDeleteThere can always be new adventures for Gabriel, just like this one. :)
Thank you, Elaine. I agree. One can be too friendly with a wild animal not only to your own detriment, but to theirs.
DeleteHide the dog food!(Although I doubt Gabriel would let him steal from the dish) We once had Redbone Coon-hound who let the baby raccoons eat out of bowl as he sat there watching them.. he was a genteel sort of fellow. This raccoon looks like a youngster, they are so cute but very precocious. The little bird must have known that and was warning him to steer clear.
ReplyDeleteThe only food we have outside is the bird seed on the deck, plus a fountain in the front yard, so I'm not sure what attracted him to my Secret Garden. He acted very docile and took his time going over to the tree when it was just me watching him.
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