Seeing Red!

Well I ran into Red when I went out back to feed the overwinters. There is a big storage container out there with all their treats etc. in it and while I was in the pen Red must have heard me and came over to check things out. She scared the crap out of me when I heard something rummaging in the container. Luckily it was just her helping me out! She is still in the very clingy mood she has developed within the past couple months. (she wasn't like this initially after her release).

This is unusual for them once they are free....they usually do not want to be handled once they are released....but will tolerate my presence if I run into them. Yet once again she just jumped into my arms and wanted to be held. I was getting some serious coonie hugs this night, much to my surprise. I think she is pregnant and her maternal hormones are at work here and it will ware off soon as she prepares to have her kits. Right now she's just happy to see mom and say Hi when she gets the chance.

I also feel better knowing this is specific to me and she's not like this towards other humans. The last time I ran into her and she was like this, Laurie came by to feed the overwinters. When she came towards me and Red, Red immediately took off and even my presence didn't prevent it. I teach them to fear other humans before releasing them, and I feel better witnessing that behavior in action so I know it was reinforced enough to make her dissappear even if I am around.

Dandy is doing great. She is healing well, eating fine and keeping the wound clean. She is taking her antibiotics and worming meds without a problem and being an excellent patient. I know she is restless and just wants out so she can return to her home in the wild. I feel bad keeping her penned up but it is for her greater good and it will be great to see her go free again when I am sure she is healed completely and ready to go.

I'm sure Siren misses her too since the two of them were always hanging out together. It will be nice when and if they can reunite depending on their "maternal situations" this spring.

Feisty sighting!

I'm happy to report I popped out into the woods about an hour ago and ran into Fiesty. I have not seen him since about Thanksgiving time so it was good to catch up with him. He's in great condition and has adjusted very well to his wild life!

Free at last!

And so Smokey, Feisty, Dandy, Silly, Fuzzy, Red, Goofball, Sarge and Siren began to THOROUGHLY enjoy their new found freedom! They stayed close to the area for for a while, and eventually worked their way into the woods finding new homes and friends. They began to mingle extremely well with the first group released the previous fall and all their kids too!

Finally the raccoon chronicles have been brought up to the present day. Last night was the lunar eclipse and while I was out in the woods I was lucky enough to have a visit with Ringer, Red and Smokey. Ringer and Red were in a particularly playful mood with me and Smokey just wanted some of the treats in my pocket! Ringer's my favorite gal from the first summer and she always wants to say hi when I'm out there.

There were a lot of others out there running around like crazy, but they were having way too much fun to come say hi to me. Between the full moon and breeding season, they had other things on their minds!!