A few years ago I had a field near Wichita, Kansas, where I raised peonies. One day I went to work on the peonies, parking my truck on a terrace. As I worked, I noticed a couple of dogs courseing in another part of the field. Then the biggest skunk {at least it seemed that way} I had ever seen ambled into view along the terrace. Needless to say I froze. When it reached about three feet away, I must made some kind of movement. It whipped into position, with its tail raised, and looking over its shoulder. The tableau was frozen for what seemed like forever. I was hopeing those dogs would stay wher they were. I guess it decided I was part of the landscape, because it resumed its normal position and started toward the truck. Again I must have made some slight movement, because instant replay, and I was stareing down the barrel again. It must have decided I was nothing or that it had scared me to death, because went back to normal position and walked off behind the truck. I was almost sick from lack of breathing. I decided I had done enough with the peonies, got in the truck and went home.
Ed

. . . he's 'still' lookin' for a home ;))

[like 'is shelter ?]

I think he's trying to get himself shipped to my house! He knows where the good eats are...

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Wednesday and Mask are becoming quite tame. See how close we can get now to take their pictures.

"I'm trying to maintain a shred of dignity in this world." - Me

Don't you feel tempted to bend down and pat him?

Don't you feel tempted to bend down and pat him?

Fuzzy, some of my raccoons do come close enough for me to pet them but I have never tried. It is unwise.

To a baby raccoon, my finger could be a fun plaything and/or a tasty treat!!!

Eric and I have both been through the pre-rabies vaccination series, but raccoons are carriers of other diseases nobody wants. And even if my babies are miraculously disease-free, their tiny teeth look very very sharp to me.

Cute as they are, I have never tried to touch one or let one eat out of my hand. (My mama didn't raise no dummy!)

"I'm trying to maintain a shred of dignity in this world." - Me

Don't you feel tempted to bend down and pat him?

Fuzzy, some of my raccoons do come close enough for me to pet them but I have never tried. It is unwise.

To a baby raccoon, my finger could be a fun plaything and/or a tasty treat!!!

Eric and I have both been through the pre-rabies vaccination series, but raccoons are carriers of other diseases nobody wants. And even if my babies are miraculously disease-free, their tiny teeth look very very sharp to me.

Cute as they are, I have never tried to touch one or let one eat out of my hand. (My mama didn't raise no dummy!)

I understand that, you and others have explained that before, but that pic just makes me go AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWwwwwww and that head and coat looks so soft.

Actually, if I recall correctly, their coat is actually very coarse. It wouldn't be soft like a cats fur. It's thicker and stiffer.

Actually, if I recall correctly, their coat is actually very coarse. It wouldn't be soft like a cats fur. It's thicker and stiffer.

Yes, up close and personal raccoon fur does appear to be much stiffer and coarser than cat hair. The babies are probably a bit softer than their mama.

And I have no desire to wear a raccoon on my head!!!