A tall tree on the west side of my yard is, as I discovered this evening, home to a whole family of raccoons! I was reading the Sky Watch Friday blogs when I heard not-so-light footsteps on my roof. I've known for some time that there are raccoons in our urban neighborhood, but had not yet spied anything except some tell-tale evidence in the grass.
I normally don't go prowling around outside after dark, but I picked up my best flashlight and slipped out the door into the back yard. A scan of the roof over my office showed nothing, so I stepped back a few paces and shone the light across the roof and then up into the ivy-draped tree. Eight little spots of light glittered back at me -- 4 raccoons! Any person in the vicinity could have overheard me having a not so sweet and definitely one-sided conversation with them. They just listened to my rant and blinked their eyes. In less than a minute, still another one came trip-tripping across a limb which overhangs my den to join the others. I estimate that the latter one, which I could see in profile as it scampered across, was at least a foot long from ears to base of tail. It was too dark and the ivy too thick to see his/her bushy tail.
This raccoon family doesn't realize it yet, but their cosy home is slated for demolition -- soon. The tree in which they are dwelling is leaning against a fence which separates my yard from a (as still yet) friendly neighbor. Well, it's more pushing against our mutual fence (from my side to hers) than it is leaning. And several branches of said tree are about to overhang her house. It's time for the tree to go -- either in its entirety or severely topped off and all the offending branches removed. Earlier this week I had spoken with the 'tree man' who will come this weekend to give me an estimate. An estimate is necessary so I won't go into cardiac arrest when the bill comes!
Ricky Raccoon, and all your family, it's time for you to move on!
22 comments:
Awwwwww, but coons are such sweet, shy and introverted creatures. Perhaps you should start feeding them. :-)
We didn't have raccoons, but at our last house the squirrels once seemed to be holding the squirrel olympics in my attic. We had a company called Varmit Control come out after we heard noises of fighting or amorous adventures or something ominous going on up there. The guy set a trap, and eventually captured not one, not two, not three, but four baby 'possums, and relocated them far away into the countryside. You don't even want to know about the mama 'possum. Maybe you should consider having your furry friends relocated professionally, if they do that in Arkansas.
Our new neighborhood doesn't have any big trees yet, so we're safe for the moment.
Would love tards Pat.o see your c
Good luck with the tree removal and getting rid of the raccoons. I wish I could have seen you fussing at them. I probably would have done the same thing.
They'll move inside and take over your home if you let them. Those creatures are way too bold. I don't trust them around my kids.
You are a wise neighbor, and very smart to plan ahead for the shock of the bill! I'm glad you stopped by my blog - and I wanted to tell you, I'm a stamper, too. We also seem to enjoy photographing similar things, so I think we might just be - as they say - birds of a feather, or peas in a pod. Come visit anytime! I have a stamping blog, too - there is a link on my profile - love preserves. I'd love to know what you think.
Good luck with that tree removal! It cost us $1000 or more to have some trees removed when we lived n Maine. Hopefully your 1 tree won't be that expensive. but will the racoons leave? I doubt it!
OMG Pat I would have had heart failure when I saw the 8 eyes blinking back at me. Girl you are one brave soul. I came over to check out SkyWatch which is stunning by the way. I love the way you captured part of the bell. Hope Ricky and his clan find another home soon. Don't give him any ideas about coming to Alabama. We have enough possums and armadelos (sp?) as it is.
Roof party at Pat's place!!
I enjoyed this story. Let me tell you it is better they are in your tree than in your attic! We had an old lady across the street call my husband and wanted him to shoot some raccoons that had got in her attic. Of course he couldn't, wouldn't do that. She had to find someone to come and trap them.
my son's hunt racoons with coon dogs. they might come visit you.
Ack just make sure they don't move inside your house instead. I had a ton of trouble with raccoons last March (which took me three blog posts to write about). I hope Mom and kidlets find a new OUTDOORS home.
Raccoons are cute until they start causing trouble!
Oh my... what a sight that must have been with so many eyes peering back at you! Nice blog you have Pat! Thanks for stopping by to visit my Journey and for your comments. :c)
Pat: Don't feed them, they will stay and raise havok with the area.
Believe me! They'll find another abode in very short order! If nothing else those dang creatures are resourceful! But you're from Arkansas - you KNOW that!
Here's to being a good neighbor!
lfrxw
You are a very good neighbor...our neighbor just lost a large tree in a recent storm. It is in our yard, has broken part of a new fence, and he intends to do nothing. It's ours to remove. Nice, huh? I like raccoons. From a distance...
Hi, I arrived via post of the day. Racoons sound much sweeter than they are I am sure. We have all sorts of critters here in France that cause untold damage. Best that they are rehomed. Debs x
Oh those racoons! Once they've found a place to call home, they don't like to leave! We see that alot here on the Cape. Skunks, too! =O
I awake often in the early hours of the morning only to hear funny "thump" "thump"s on the roof. As it turns out, my neck of the woods frequently has flying squirrels. Apparently they land on the roof, then take off again. =)
Hmmmm. They might move into your den... ;0)
Over from David's.
Hope they don't move in with you when their current place goes!
Stopping by from Authorblog :)
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