Mayne Island is a quite rather bucolic southern Gulf Island off the west coast of Canada. But this island has also been known to have its share of mischief. There are roving masked bandits during the night that frequently get up to no good. It is worth keeping an eye out for them just to be on the safe side. Let’s see if I can assist you in knowing what you are looking for. Ah yes, here comes one now…
“Who me?” she says.
Yes you! We are talking about you Miss Curious Cat.
“Well how interesting” she softly growls.
But then she thinks “what else could I possibly expect with such frequent trips through their property?”
“Lovely evening isn’t it?” and she almost smiles before looking farther up the tree to make sure the children safe.
Three of these are hers and one is the baby of a good friend of hers who is guarding the bottom of the tree and too hidden by the underbrush to get an identifying mugshot. The tree is like a raccoon hotel at the moment with the guests swinging from the rafters.
I suspect that they stopped at the compost fruit and salad bar before coming up because they sure know how to be entertaining and silly. Raccoon tail hat anyone?
If you do see any of this masked bandits do keep your distance. These photographs were taken with a telephoto lens so you can get good look at them. They may look cute but are fierce and can be aggressive if cornered. If you note those powerful back legs it is easy to see why they can spring a good distance to attach if they feel threatened or their young are in danger.
SPROUT: Who have you recently caught roaming around your yard at night?
© 2012 Terrill Welch, All rights reserved.
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Creative Potager – where imagination rules. Be inspired.
From Mayne Island, British Columbia, Canada
Terrill Welch online Gallery at http://terrillwelchartist.com
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Creative Potager 
Thank you for these adorable photos, Terrill. A few doors down, we’ve had a family of raccoons drink out of our rain barrel—a kit using her sister’s body as a bridge. Why we’ve even had the mother peer through our screen door.
“What’s for dinner?” I thought I heard her say.
And growing even bolder, thanks to the cover of darkness, she attempted entering our house through the cat door. But my cat was there to help her change her mind.
That is a great story Leanne! 🙂 Thankfully the cat was there. I gather it is one heck of a mess if these critters ever get inside.
Oh my gosh! They’re hair/fur is practically blue-black! These are great photographs. I’m so glad you used a telephoto lens.
And yes indeed, these little cuties can be little stink pots! We have a 6-foot chain link fence around our back yard and periodically we have a roly-poly one that likes to walk the top like a tight-rope walker and tease our dogs. Little does she know that Willa (our Irish Wolfhound) can reach her with ease. HOWEVER, we don’t let her because a raccoon can quickly tear up a dog’s face with it’s razor sharp claws and teeth — even a large strapping dog like Willa.
SPROUT: Who have you recently caught roaming around your yard at night?
A great BIG bull frog!
Another great raccoon story Laurie 🙂 I hope you didn’t step on the bull frog in your bare feet to find it.
wonderful!
Thanks Tobin 🙂
Ah ha! I recognize these little so-and-sos! Great photos! I was just telling someone about the raccoons the other day, now I can show them. By the way, my granddaughter was wearing a nice new t-shirt the other day that said “I’m going to be a big sister!” Yup, I’ll be grandma 2.0 in January. Hope to get over again in September, I’m “mom sitting” for all of August.
Congratulations Alice! This is wonderful news. Yes I bet you do recognize this rascals 🙂 We shall be around the beginning of September for sure though we are considering a wee bit of an adventure for September – October nothing for sure yet. Good to have you drop by!