Varmit report

[tenaya]

Just to let you know the mob is still healthy and happy and all together. I notice that after they scarf up their dinner, the raccoon family likes to go to the edge of the courtyard and lounge. Momma lays down like a dog would, rests her head between her front paws and naps. The kids are active, either wrestling with each other, checking out whatever they can pick up, or playing in the trees. I did catch two of them laying on their backs like otters do. What caught my eye was that one of them had placed a peanut on their tummy, but was more interested in their toes. They had their hind feet up to their faces and were playing with their toes right in front of their faces. I can't be sure, but I think one was sucking on their foot, like a human would suck on their thumb. She just rocked slightly back and forth while she played with her toes before she eventually fiddled with her peanut, shelling it and eating it.

I put out a big rubbermaid container, filled it with water and placed grapes in it. Momma knew immediately what this was, hopped in and started happily smacking those grapes down. The babies were uncertain of the water, and for the first night, either walked though it with their backs arched up high so their tummies wouldn't get so wet, or kept two feet on the edge at all times. Which two feet was pretty funny as most combinations/contortions were attempted. Now they just all pile in and wrestle around with each other.

As for the rest...the skunks are getting fluffy. I might infer that they could be fat, but who can tell under all that beautiful plummage? I have noticed a big decrease in the crow population; I fear the West Nile virus is devastating them. I understand that the rest of their family is just as suspectible, and that includes ravens, jays and magpies. I still hear the mockingbirds; they're not magpies, right?

For those that are concerned, apparently dogs and cats are not that suspectible to this virus, with less than 40 cases identified in 2003
in dogs, and only one cat death noted. Cats apparently just get under the weather for about a week when exposed, and they can catch it from mosquito bites or by eating something that was infected with it.

That's all for now.

Comments

[moonchildetoo.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear The Gang is well. Meant to tell you, I took copies of the pix you posted online to my mom when I went to visit, and she just adored them.

[tenaya.livejournal.com]

That's sweet. Thank you for telling me that. I've got tons more to put up. Germaine says I need to put up thumbnails so they load faster, which means I need to learn to do that. Maybe later....
I'm glad your mom enjoyed them.

[kittyfisher.livejournal.com]

awww... I miss your wildlife! Do the possums still watch human TV?

And West Nile virus? Wah!! sounds awful...

**hugs** you... and thinks of your airconditioning (we're having a heatwave)

XXXXXxxxxxxx

[tenaya.livejournal.com]

Yes, the air condition is a GOD. Praise be to the Creator of Cold Air.

The possums that are currently about are too big to get in that willowly bush by the door. Well, that and the fact that the young raccoons are up in it nightly. Those branches are quite springy. In fact, picture 3 or 4 five year olds on a big ol' bouncy bed; that's what happens in that tree nightly. The tree starts to sway as the coons grab hold of as many branches as they can and they start to bounce and shake. Gleeful is the word I'd use to describe their expressions.

I wish you and L could see them.

West Nile is a virus that started in New York a few years ago. It's been carried by migrating birds to most of the country, and it's effects are just hitting here. There's been a couple of deaths of people in Southern California. 80% of people who get it have no symptons, but 1 out of 150 will die from encephalitis. We just stay in to avoid the mosquitos.