Wildlife Encounters

[Kimmelweck]

I'm sitting alone at the picnic table in my backyard right now, just after 11pm on a Friday night. Quiet night, nice breeze. Listening to the local classical music station quietly on the radio in the glow of a Coleman lantern, enjoying a beer and reading on my phone. I just heard a rustle in the weeds along my garage, and there, 5 feet away from me, is a skunk. Not knowing what else to do, I yelled "Hey!" He stopped in his tracks, we stared at each other for about 5 seconds, and then he ran off into the darkness towards the back fence. Crisis averted, for now.

Being rejected by a skunk has to hurt a little bit.

Maybe a little, but I prefer raccoons.

[Kimmelweck]

I'm sitting alone at the picnic table in my backyard right now, just after 11pm on a Friday night. Quiet night, nice breeze. Listening to the local classical music station quietly on the radio in the glow of a Coleman lantern, enjoying a beer and reading on my phone. I just heard a rustle in the weeds along my garage, and there, 5 feet away from me, is a skunk. Not knowing what else to do, I yelled "Hey!" He stopped in his tracks, we stared at each other for about 5 seconds, and then he ran off into the darkness towards the back fence. Crisis averted, for now.

Better buy a lottery ticket, you just got lucky!

That's not a bad idea. I'll buy a scratch-off next time I'm at the gas station.

[Kimmelweck]

I'm sitting alone at the picnic table in my backyard right now, just after 11pm on a Friday night. Quiet night, nice breeze. Listening to the local classical music station quietly on the radio in the glow of a Coleman lantern, enjoying a beer and reading on my phone. I just heard a rustle in the weeds along my garage, and there, 5 feet away from me, is a skunk. Not knowing what else to do, I yelled "Hey!" He stopped in his tracks, we stared at each other for about 5 seconds, and then he ran off into the darkness towards the back fence. Crisis averted, for now.

I've often had skunks come towards me. Unlike a lot of wild animals they don't at all seem afraid of humans.

I caught a skunk in a live trap in my backyard about 10 years ago. Had to hire a retired 80-year-old animal control officer to take him away and release him down by the river for $20 (a bargain, honestly). With this one, we didn't notice each other until he was right next to me. I think he realized that he had invaded my space and not the other way around, and that probably saved me.

[revbob]

Meanwhile at the Beaneater estate...

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLoNt4bo ... Noc3VwbA==