Quite the Life (and all in Times New Roman 10pt!)
Yes, everyone’s waking up from their winter slumbers.
Including Fibonacci, our most recent skunkly visitor.
Our association with Skunk started with Ferdinand and Larry.
Recently our neighborhood has experienced a plethora of skunk.
They let us know they’re about.
Unfortunately, it’s often after the fact.
Many of us have learned to be wary, to open our doors slowly, to look out our windows before venturing forth.
And to have a goodly supply of anti-skunk-stink available.
We are Graced by Coyote.
(Note the capital “G” above. No fool, I)
This sprightly gent dines elegantly on an apple core I tossed into our yard. Opossum most often dine on fruits and veges we offer, and Opossum can be right persnickety when they’re dining. Coyote avoid them more often than not.
Which tells us this fellow dines sans Opossum as either guest or host.
But there are Raccoon around because we can hear them chastising this handsome lad.
We leave out apple cores because a favorite snack (for me) is Granny Smith apples and chunky peanut butter (love the chunky kind, not so much the smooth kind (and that description tells you much about me and why I chose as I did)).
I often sit outside and The Wild come to me, take from my hand and dine with me.
Heck, Raccoon and Skunk come into my lap (I sit on the ground usually), stand up supporting themselves with their forepaws on my chest, and sniff my breath to determine if what I’m munching on is better than what I offer them (I do not recommend others do this).
Makes me wonder if I should share some apples and peanut butter with them.
Or with this fellow, any way.
Enjoy.
A new guest arrived at Chez Carrabis a while back, an at-the-time unnamed skunk.
We’ve had skunk before.
And truth be told, they are a fun lot.
Some say skunk are quick-tempered.
Not so those who dine with us.
Although we, like Raccoon, start cautiously.
No need to be foolhardy.
Mostly our visiting skunk stay to themselves. The juveniles – one being the Larry mentioned in the video – are more willing to hobnob. The elders – Ferdinand, as also mentioned in the video, being one – are quite pleasant once they get to know you.
If nothing else, they’d rather trundle off than give offense.
Oh, how I wish Two-Legs were the same.
Enjoy.
I mentioned last week the joy of dining with friends.
This week we continue that theme with a note of caution.
Behold some reasonably cautious raccoons.
Reasonably cautious because in addition to Opossum, Skunk, Owls, and assorted other fine citizens, we have a family of Coyote who visit.
We don’t mind them. They’re quite beautiful and gracious creatures.
Chatty, in fact.
And they love a good gnosh.
We simply endeavor to ensure their gnosh, while they share our space, isn’t someone else coming by for a little gnosh.
(no one likes it when the kids fight at the table…)
We are often intrigued by The Wild‘s musical tastes.
It is eclectic to say the least.
And it would be one thing if musical preferences followed some kind of Old One differentiation, you know?
Something like “All raccoons prefer Bach, all Opossum prefer modern jazz, skunk are heavily into acid rock (thank goodness they’re not!), …”
You know, some kind of differentiator so we could see who’s come to visit and put on something to suit their musical tastes.
No such luck.
Each’s musical leanings are as individuated as, well, as they are.
Food.
That seems to be the commonality.
Not only across species, but individuals, as well.
Set out a good table and they’ll gather.
It’s a good thing.