Back yard visitors

[kimmer]

Not quite visiting in our back yard, this pair of eagles has been "visiting" in the stag just up the road. We spotted them early in April -- no camera. Took camera. No eagles. Gave up on camera -- eagles. This game of hide and seek went on until April 29th when I was able to get these 3 photos. I had to dodge highway traffic, weeds and other things, but I managed to get the photos -- only to discover afterwards that my camera may be going fritz (it's showing signs of age - rather like it's second owner - hehehe) ... so the photos aren't as sharp as I'd like ... but here, for your fuzzy enjoyment are a pair of bald eagles from Waldport, Oregon.

[kimmer]

Dear Frances,

Kindly purchase one round trip ticket to the central coast of Oregon (actually you'll have to fly to Portland and then rent a car and drive down the coast). Once here, go to the local pet store and purchase a nice, large, very, very, very sturdy cage. With cage in hand, call us at 1-800-WEE-TRAP and we'll direct you to the tree where these critters hang out -- or on as the case may be. They are there most afternoons.

Dangling Raccoon
Where's a ladder when you need one?
Gee, George! You sure are in a sticky wicket!

As you can see, sometimes the one raccoon gets into a bit of a sticky wicket. We assume that's the male of the pair. He would likely make a perfect George (although we wouldn't want anyone to think that we think all George's get into sticky wickets on a regular basis. We're told that sticky wickets often attract Charlie's and Sam's and even Fred's).

We are sure that with the right treat you should be able to entice these raccoons out of the tree and into your cage, whereupon you can whisk them home to your cozy abode, feed them well and train them to be pets. With 2 you get egg rolls, perhaps?

If you are interested, please contact us immediately.

Sincerely,
The Fine Folks at WEETRAP (WE Eagerly Trap Raccoons and Possums)

[Paddy]

QUOTE

Certainly, having a 'wild' animal not run at the approach of a human indicates it is either being fed by one or is, indeed, suffering from some malady

Um...Jim...you haven't met the raccoons of Toronto.

These are the guys who look up from your over-turned trash can and practically ask you "Can I help you?" with the surly indifference of the worst sort of shop assistant. While they will usually leave if you get too close, they don't do so with any great speed, and will come right back again the moment you've left. We had some who somehow figured out how to get the top off our Rubbermaid garbage enclosure and THEN attack the garbage bins inside. Since this not only requires a great deal of force (you're basically taking the lid off it's hinges) and they only had the edge of a chain link fence to stand on while doing so, it was quite the feat. And they did it twice. The first time we figured we'd somehow gotten the lid off its hinges - the second time was after we put everything back!! They probably work in gangs... Anyway - we now have a carabiner through the lockable bit...so far they haven't figured out carabiners!!

So Frances, if you want to come to Toronto to get some of these guys, Toronto will be forever grateful and everyone in the Shetland Islands will be ready to shoot you.

Unfortunately they also don't make good pets - fine until about a year, but turn very unpredictable after that. You don't want to be bitten by one - ask our cat. They're also extremely smelly when living in your attic or garage.

As for diseases, Jim, the last case of raccoon rabies in Ontario was in 2005, and Quebec has almost eliminated it as well. One of the benefits of having a border running through major waterways, I suppose - easier to keep things like this out! (I know you'll come back with some sort of pithy remark!)

[gunug]

My grandfather had a pet raccoon (named Calvin after Calvin Coolidge) that he had raised from a pup or a kid or whatever.  Anyway the thing would climb up his clothing and go through his pockets and do tricks (don't remember what tricks) and this went on for a year or more until one day it latched onto his ear and wouldn't let go.  He and his father took the thing out into the woods about 30 miles from where they lived and left it and he never saw it again.  I suspect that raccoons are like cats and are very independent (maybe more than cats) and probably don't make the best "huggable" pets.  

Frances - I got the Bugs Bunny reference immediately but I'm not sure George did?

An old coworker from years ago was a German lady who loved skunks enough to go under houses and such to remove them from that human environment.  She kept some herself and took them with her back to Germany when she moved back (she had to have them de-scented before the German Government would allow this).

[george]

Frances, now look and see what you gotten (US) us  UK residents into, offers of all sorts, Canada  and the US would like you (not me)to rid their country of these not so friendly beasties.
A plague upon you  
George

[Frances144]

QUOTE(george @ Jun 2 2008, 08:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A plague upon you  

A plague of raccoons - is that the collective noun?

[Frances144]

QUOTE(kimmer @ Jun 1 2008, 09:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Dear Frances,

Kindly purchase one round trip ticket to the central coast of Oregon (actually you'll have to fly to Portland and then rent a car and drive down the coast). Once here, go to the local pet store and purchase a nice, large, very, very, very sturdy cage. With cage in hand, call us at 1-800-WEE-TRAP and we'll direct you to the tree where these critters hang out -- or on as the case may be. They are there most afternoons.

Dangling Raccoon
Where's a ladder when you need one?
Gee, George! You sure are in a sticky wicket!

As you can see, sometimes the one raccoon gets into a bit of a sticky wicket. We assume that's the male of the pair. He would likely make a perfect George (although we wouldn't want anyone to think that we think all George's get into sticky wickets on a regular basis. We're told that sticky wickets often attract Charlie's and Sam's and even Fred's).

We are sure that with the right treat you should be able to entice these raccoons out of the tree and into your cage, whereupon you can whisk them home to your cozy abode, feed them well and train them to be pets. With 2 you get egg rolls, perhaps?

If you are interested, please contact us immediately.

Sincerely,
The Fine Folks at WEETRAP (WE Eagerly Trap Raccoons and Possums)

Dear Kimmer

Please meet me at your airport for collection and transport to your local raccoon catching supply store whereupon I will purchase a WEETRAP forthwith.

Transport to the raccoon recreation area would also be appreciated and any tips for George enticements would be useful.

Once George has been trapped, crated and moved to the Shetland Islands, I will be able to offer regular updates as to his general progress.

Yours sincerely
Frances
Potential Raccoon Owner of the Hugging Variety

[Highmac]

I don't know what you lot are on.... but I want some!!!  

[kimmer]

QUOTE(Frances144 @ Jun 2 2008, 09:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Dear Kimmer

Please meet me at your airport for collection and transport to your local raccoon catching supply store whereupon I will purchase a WEETRAP forthwith.

Transport to the raccoon recreation area would also be appreciated and any tips for George enticements would be useful.

Once George has been trapped, crated and moved to the Shetland Islands, I will be able to offer regular updates as to his general progress.

Yours sincerely
Frances
Potential Raccoon Owner of the Hugging Variety

Dear Frances,

While I would truly enjoy meeting you, and helping you to entice George (fresh raw eggs often do the trick) into your WEETRAP, I'm afraid I will be unable to meet you at the Portland airport. The airport is located in a very large metropolis, filled with cars and people all going catty whompus on the streets. They scare me. I'd rather be left dangling in the tree with George as play bumper car and doge the pedestrian in the big city.

So, regretfully, unless you are willing and able to rent a car and travel down the coast (it is lovely this time of year - the sun often comes out for an hour or two each day), we (The Fine Folks at WEETRAP) will be unable to assist you in securing a fuzzy pet.

Kimmer, disappointed manager of WEETRAP

[kimmer]

QUOTE(Highmac @ Jun 2 2008, 10:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't know what you lot are on.... but I want some!!!  

Dear Neil,

WEETRAP uses only the finest natural ingredients around.


Sincerely
The Fine Folks at WEETRAP

[Frances144]

Dear Kimmer

Thank you for your prompt response.  

Whilst I completely understand your desire to wimp out and stay with the raccoons, would you be so kind as to drape yourself in the aforementioned raw egg until my arrival with a suitable box for George?  That would be most helpful.  Negotiations with your local airport will be dealt accordingly by myself.  Please expect me soonest as I feel certain that George will not be keen on an old-egged person.  I am sure he is a fresh-egg person kind of raccoon.

Yours sincerely
Frances

[Gregg]

This one takes the cake!

 

[Paddy]

No, not cake, Gregg...they really prefer something with protein. Freshly discarded chicken bones and half-eaten tuna sandwiches are similar in effectiveness to raw eggs, though the sandwiches tend to be a neater solution as George and his friends don't leave inedible bits of bone strewn all over the front lawn.

George, after a lovely gourmet meal.

[Frances144]

gimme, gimme, gimme!

Ooooh that tum-tum - don't just want to tickle it and kiss him!  He is gorgeous!

[krissel]

Will trade racoon for whatever you guys are imbibing.  

This guy was on my porch nibbling on the impatiens last summer (at night). Took pic through window in door without flash so it's not very clear.

[attachment=977:racoon_on_porch.jpg]


Paddy, the turtle is the common Eastern box turtle. He was pretty good sized, about an eight inch shell. I first noticed him when I was looking out the window during a rain storm on Saturday and noticed something that looked like an injured squirrel dragging itself across the back end of the lawn. After a bit I saw a head stretch up and realized it was a turtle. When the lightning died down I went out to get a pic. He was a bit stunned by the camera flash and took several minutes to move on.

I had one many years ago that crossed the yard in the afternoon like clockwork but I think he had once been a pet because there were some painted markings on his shell. This guy is quite colorful all on his own.