What I Do in the Wee Hours of the Night

I pet raccoons! We discovered these cute little raccoons on our front porch eating peanuts from the big container we used to store birdfeed. After several nocturnal visits, they are starting to get friendly -- they are letting us pet them and feed them by hand! Check out these photos!!!

This little guy has a deathgrip on our door handle. Poor little thing was terrified to let go! Dan wanted to just pick him up and help him down, but he was too afraid that the baby coon would rip him to SHREDS if he even thought about it.



Dan finally got the lid off the birdfeed container and used it as a platform for the terrified little guy. He took off pretty much right away, so he didn't get to try out the delicious apple slices that we brought out for them.


His sibling was not as timid. He chewed down on apple slices and peanut butter. I would wager a guess that this was damned near his favourite meal -- with the notable exception of the steak bones he pulled out of a long surgical hole he ripped in the bottom of my garbage a little later in the evening. grrrrr.




Let me tell you, their little hands are amazing. This little guy reaches out so daintily to take the apple right out of my hand and eats it like one of my kids would eat an apple -- by shoving as much of it as absolutely possible into it's mouth.



They like to be petted, but they are still skiddish if you put your hands too close to their face. Best for your hand to approach from the side, slowly and gently. Their fur is so soft and thick it's everything a person can do to keep from pulling them onto your lap for a cuddle.



When they have had their fill, they run for the spruce tree for shelter. Watching us from the safety of their high perch, I get the impression that we are being scolded for not having more peanut butter and apples for them to eat.