The gang in Framingham.

I've been keeping tabs on the gang in Framingham and I'm happy to say Cinnamon, Peanut, Phoenix, Willie, Raquel, Ellie,Chicken, Piggy, Fozzy and Gonzo are doing great! I finally got a chance to go through the pics on the camera.

They start to trickle in early and check out the new gadget that just appeared!I stop by occasionally after work and this night had a nice little visit with some of them! Raquel was the first to come say Hi to mom. Eventually Ellie and Chicken graced me with their presence too. The humidity and killer mosquitoes drove me out before I could wait for more to come in...not to mention I had to work bright and early the next morning!

It's safe to say they feel pretty relaxed out there now.....

And looks like they are sticking together also! There are 2 other feeders out there...why they all have to eat right on top of each other is beyond me, but it does show me pretty much the whole gang at once. Seeing them separate makes it hard to get an accurate head count....

...but the family portrait makes it pretty easy!

There are a couple mom's out there also...one is pretty large, possibly Baloo? The other looks like Rosie maybe.....? Either way, everyone is getting along pretty well out there. Maybe Willie was helpful mediating between the two groups since the original group were his siblings after all. Luckily Willie fared much better the second time around!

Free at last!

I did end up releasing the overwinters on Sunday night. Cinnamon, Peanut, Willie, Ellie, Piggy, Chicken, Gonzo, Fozzy, Raquel and Phoenix are officially free raccoons! It was a lot of fun watching them run around and play like maniacs!

Piggy wasted no time and was the first one out.

Willie was the last one out! Too many memories of what happened the last time he was released here perhaps?? LOL But he finally took the plunge and joined the rest of the gang!
I stayed and enjoyed watching their antics until they all finally drifted further off and it started getting dark....

The part I hate most.....saying goodbye and leaving....hoping they do OK out there on their own!

The raccoons enjoy their Turkey Day dinner!

There's no reason that we hoomans are the only one's that get to enjoy a Thanksgiving day dinner! The overwinters were very thankful for their feast! They got their's the day Ellie was intorduced to help take all their attention off Ellie and make her introduction a little easier. (Not that we had to worry about it with such an accepting group!)

Pumpkin pie and raw chicken wings for everyone!! As you can see....it was a BIG hit!! LOL

And of course all civilized coonie kids know to wash their hands well when they are done!

And after dinner, Cinnamon wants to play.....no tryptophan coma for her...she doesn't like the poultry anyway....but I'm sure the pie gave her plenty of energy!

The little kids.

Cinnamon, Peanut, Phoenix and Raquel are doing great. Still too small to release so they will be staying the winter for sure.....but how can I complain...look how damn cute they are!!

Peanut

Cinn

Raquel

Phoenix

The little kids.

The little kids are enjoying their new digs also. Now in the cage vacated by Razz & Diesel's group they have more climbing room and they are loving it!

Peanut the the only boy...

His sister Cinnamon.

The ever adorable Raquel!

And Phoenix...all healed and grown from her fiery beginnings.....

Raquel playing hide and seek...

I'll be enjoying their company for the winter this year!

Raquel has friends!

Raquel fit right in with Cinnamon, Peanut and Phoenix! It didn't take much more than a brief introduction and they were all fast friends!

The door to Raquel's cage was opened and Phoenix went right in! Raquel had to see who was using her potty!

And shortly thereafter, the two were wrestling around.

Peanut was more interested in the animal crackers that came with Raquel!

...but eventually stopped snacking long enough to meet and greet!

And Raquel and Cinn are best buds!

"I wuvs yoo sooooooo much!"

The littlest raccoons.

The 3 youngest kids are getting some outside time and loving it.....Cinnamon, Peanut and Phoenix are enjoying wrestling in the grass....

.....a dip in the pool.....

....and just climbing all over the place. Although Phoenix (left) is a bit younger than the other 2, she certainly has no problem keeping up with them!

I am really hoping they start to sprout fast! Otherwise it looks like these 3 may be spending the winter this year...they only have until September to get to a release weight of about 10-12lbs and they are definitely not on track for that right now!

The trio venture "out"

If you can call it that! The 3 babies are the only one's left inside and getting brave! They actually dare to venture away from mom's lap now! LOL Getting curious about exploring their surroundings and playing up a storm with each other.

Cinnamon

Phoenix

And the ever exploring Peanut! He's more than caught up to his sister in size now.

Their first trip "away" from mom....a whole 4 feet maybe?? The first sound they heard they were dashing back into my lap to hide!