The Boys.

Wake up boys....it's spring and it's warm!

Bama is still keeping his distance. It's not going to be fun trying to round him up for release!

One of Laurie's boys acts all tough and huffy when I go in there, but he's always following me around like a lost puppy until I finally reach up and scratch his chin! I think he's just putting on a show for the other boys trying to keep up the tough guy image.

 

Cooper is always happy to come out and say Hi.

Cute photo op....take my pic mom!

Bama did finally decide to come out, but he's still not coming anywhere near me!

Chester, happy as usual and always up for a visit.

Boston, just like Chicken, isn't about to show us more than this view.

When mom's around, food is around! Chester knows this better than any of them and begins looking for all the hiding places.

And speaking of boys......I had a late night visit that TOTALLY made my day after being pretty bummed about a squirrel death early in the day. (Long story short, one of my locals, a slightly neurologic girl that I've been keeping my eye on, made a leap from quite high up. She missed the tree she was aiming for and hit the top edge of one of the coon pens. I scooped her up but she passed shortly thereafter.)

Anyway, after getting home from work last night, it was so nice out and the sound of the peepers and the ducks and geese squawking on the pond was so relaxing, I decided to poke around out there and put out some cans of food for any of the gang if they were around. While finishing up at the main platform out back I was finally rewarded with a pair of eyes coming in for a visit. I fully expected to see River's dark face but was totally thrilled to discover it was Gibby! (I had seen him out there a week or so ago, but it was extremely windy and he was too skittish for more than a quick acknowledgement before he ran off into the brush.)

At first he just got up onto the platform to investigate what I was doing, then wandered back onto the ground. Next thing I know he's pawing at my leg. When I bent down to scratch him, he proceeded to wrap his arms around my neck and insist I pick him up and hold him like the old days! Thanks for the hug little buddy, I needed it!

I'm so happy to say he looks healthy and handsome as ever!

The Girls!

Finally.....with the lovely warm weather it is a pleasure to venture into the woods and take care of the gang!

Spring fever has finally hit the coonies too! No more refusing to get out of a cozy, warm den box. It's spring, we're feeling frisky...woooo hooooo! Time to come out an visit mom and have some fun! Four of the girls are a little more eager than the rest to see me and get outside into the warm air!

Porcelain and Pebbles

Rizzoli

Pebbles

Isles

Laurie's little girl came out, but kept her distance! She was not feeling the love at all.

Pebbles and Isles again....because I couldn't keep them away from me! When they want to play, they want to play....they'll hound me until I leave the pen!!

This was all I was going to see of Chicken! Well that, and part of one paw she stretched out to grab some treats from me.

I wish I could tell you what Rizzoli was up to here....but words elude me! Perhaps she's just a natural in front of the camera, showing us her sexy pose? Insert cat call here, LOL!

Pretty soon it'll be time for the big release........

The girls show themselves.....sort of!

I know it's been a while since we've seen or heard anything from the gang out here! Some of it has to do with a little nervousness and mistrust after watching the boys get hauled away. Chicken and Laurie's girl were very nervous to begin with, but now just avoid me all together.

 A lot more has to do with the fact that they are acting like raccoons should act in the winter....lazy couch potatoes, unmotivated by nice weather, a visit from Mom, or even food! I know, I know.... you're all shocked to think these voracious little chow hounds won't even stir for food!

Unless of course I bring in some tasty sweets they haven't had in a while! Then I can't get them to leave me alone! So I tricked them into an impromptu photo session.

Pebbles (top) and Porcelain (off to right) generally ending up coming out to say hi to me regardless...but add the sweets and Isles has no problem darting out of the den box to get her share!

Once Isles' fat ass is out of the way, Rizzoli decides to see what is up, with a little coaxing from Pebbles from above! Chicken, Springer and Laurie's girl are still tucked way back in there somewhere....

....and they are not planning on coming out anytime soon apparently! LOL Yup...there are 4 squished back in there!

But Rizzoli is in there and reassures all that I'm not coming in to haul anyone off. That's good enough for Springer who makes here way to the front of the box with her to get some treats.

My beautiful girl Porcelain! She was not shy at all and once she made it to the floor, I had her hanging out of my jacket pockets while I tried to move around in there....she knows where Momma keeps the good stuff and goes right to the source!

 Isles and Rizzoli waiting for more!

Pebbles finally ended up planting herself in the den box entrance. Although Chicken and Laurie's girl wouldn't come out with the rest, they felt secure enough with Pebbles "guarding" the entrance to poke noses and hands around her....where treats "magically" managed to end up in their mouths and hands!...... and they were able to bring them back into the depths of the box to enjoy......pleased that yes, they were the ultimate Ninja coons!!!....and they were sooooo sneaky they were able to grab them without ever being seen! LOL-silly girls!

 Alas....the treats finally ran out....and one parting shot of Rizzoli's opinion on that circumstance and I was outta there!

The boys are being equally as evasive. But they are such good boys and are taking great care of Boston, having accepted him as one of their own! Despite having 3 den boxes down there I usually find all 6 of them smooshed into 1. Boy is it toasty in there when I put my hand in to feel it! Makes me want to crawl right in there with them.



The boys are keeping warm.

I wouldn't want to get out of my nice cozy bed in the frigid weather we have been having either! Chester does his best to scoop up breakfast in bed........

...but eventually he had to emerge to reach more!  They are crazy if they think I'm going to make it easy for them and put the food right in there with them so they can stay all cozy and warm while I freeze my ass off delivering it to them! LOL

One if Laurie's boys came right out when he realized food was involved....while you can see the rest of them waiting inside for a special delivery they are not going to receive.

Boston is as handsome as ever...

...and his foot is almost totally healed. Just some scabbing left on the top. He is definitely thrilled to have company to cuddle with in some of the frigid temps we've had lately!

The reds are settled in.

The reds have totally made themselves at home. Now when I go in there they are all running around scolding  me instead of hiding in the nest box. They are loving the nice big outdoor cage....which is MUCH bigger than the cage they were going to be spending the winter in. Characters they are....all 7 of them! Adorable little buggers!

New guests.

A fellow rehabber got into a little pickle when she fell and broke her shoulder. Ouch! She had some gray and red squirrels overwintering and it was going to be a little difficult to handle with the injury. So the 7 little red's have been welcomed here. They are quite happily settled into a nice big outdoor pen!

It didn't take them long to redecorate and make this nest box their own!

Most of them are pretty shy, but there is one that will come out and chatter away while I'm in there feeding and cleaning. She likes to keep an eye on me.

It's pretty funny to sneak over there during the day when they are all out and listen to all the chattering and whistling they do.....not a quiet bunch!

Boston is just one of the gang now. All 6 boys can be found packed into the same den box together down there. He is one happy camper!

The gang.

The gang is doing great and fattened right up! Of course now they are big enough to go, but it's too late in the season of course. Although we lucked out with lovely fall weather until December, that luck has changed. Colder temps have descended and in MA where winters are cold and snowy, they just wouldn't have enough time to establish safe den sites to keep themselves warm and safe.

No complaints from this crew though....they are quite happy where they are as you can see!

Having the time of their lives :)