This post is part of a project in the works; "An Ogemaw County Year". The blog and eventually the book will encompass nature noticing, research and facts over the course of a year with a watercolor painting for each entry. Originals and prints will be available via the website as they are completed and prepped and the book will be available upon completion.
It's a crisp fall evening, and I open the door to let the dog out. The air is cool and clear, and smoke from the woodstove drifts above the chimney. The night of the first wood fire is always cozy as we turn to face the oncoming fall and winter. The backyard borders a forested area, and as the door closes behind me, I hear the distinctive klunk of the bar on the squirrel-proof bird feeder. The sun has long since set, and the moonlight casts stark shadows through the branches of the white pines that dominate the yard.
Fascinated, I watch as a raccoon scrambles from the top of the feeder to the tree trunk with surprising agility in the moonlight. As I take a step toward the feeder, I accidentally step on a fallen branch, snapping it loudly. Startled, the raccoon freezes and quickly peeks out from behind the trunk, its eyes wide and alert. We stare at each other for a moment, both taken aback by the unexpected encounter. Then, two more small raccoons scuttle down the tree and take off running through the forest, leaving the single one clinging to the tree, watching me. The dog, who is very old, gives a chuff of warning and turns tail back to the house.
Raccoons, known scientifically as Procyon lotor, are truly fascinating creatures. They go through several life stages, starting with the birth of blind and deaf kits in the spring. These young raccoons rely entirely on their mother for warmth and nourishment. As they grow, their eyes open, and they begin to explore their surroundings, learning vital survival skills. By late summer, the young raccoons are ready to venture out on their own, though they often stay with their family group until the fall.
One unique behavior of raccoons is their tendency to "wash" their food. While it may appear that they are cleaning their meals, raccoons in the wild are often just wetting their food to aid in the sensory process of eating. Their highly sensitive front paws are more effective at identifying food when wet, which helps them distinguish between edible and inedible items.
Despite their endearing qualities, it's important to remember why feeding raccoons is a bad idea for homeowners. Providing food to raccoons can lead to several problems. It encourages dependency on human-provided food sources, disrupting their natural foraging behavior. This dependency can also lead to increased interactions with humans, potentially resulting in conflicts. Additionally, feeding raccoons can attract more of them to residential areas, increasing the risk of spreading diseases and causing trouble. Feeding raccoons can lead to unwanted encounters between raccoons and dogs. Raccoons are known to defend themselves fiercely when threatened, and a curious dog can easily provoke a defensive raccoon. These encounters can result in injuries to pets and potential transmission of diseases. The risk of a dog-raccoon encounter is yet another reason to avoid feeding these wild animals.
As the raccoon and I continue to stare at each other, it seems to sense my caution. With one last curious look, it climbs down the tree and follows its siblings into the forest, disappearing as swiftly as it appeared. The backyard returns to its peaceful state, the birdfeeder swaying gently in the breeze, a silent testament to the clever and curious creatures that inhabit the night. In all the years of having the squirrel-proof feeders, the raccoons have only gotten into the seeds once. But every year, the babies born that spring give it a try when the weather turns cool.
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