Updates on the release sites.

I'm very happy to report that all appears well at all the release sites. Baloo's gang is still hanging together. That's RJ facing us on the left and as you can see they still like to huddle around the feeder together as a group! Cooniebear the tail-less coon and his friend are still regulars as well as the big fat possie.

I was crazy enough to head to Dozer's release site last night..probably the coldest night of the year! I hadn't been in a while so I needed to check the bucket and maybe run into someone since they were occasionally there between 7 and 8 on the last round of pics from the coon cam, but I wasn't hopeful.

Well cold doesn't even begin to describe it. It was the kind of cold that makes the snot freeze in your nose when you breathe in! LOL How's that for descriptive! I'm glad I went though because the feeders were totally empty. So I filled them and ran the flashlight over the surrounding trees hoping someone was around. Just as I'm packing it in I catch sight of a pair of glowing eyes staring from a treetop. I start calling to them.....and ever so slowly I notice the glowing eyes going down the tree. Once they hit the ground I figure the coonie is either going to book it out of there the other way or hopefully head my way for a visit! Well he booked it all right....straight over to me! My baby Dozer was more than happy to see mom again! That was all Tank needed to see from his spot up another tree and down he came too, very happy to see me. Luckily I had my cell phone for pics again!

Tank
Dozer

Both of them insisted on climbing into my arms and cuddling with me.... and doing a wonderful job of grooming my hair as well! (I wasn't wearing my nice warm fleece hoodie because Tank freaked out! He was sitting right next to me when I put it on and when he saw me...suddenly I wasn't mom anymore! LOL)

I could have stayed with them forever...but again, it was FREEZING! So I said my goodbye's and threw some treats down to keep them occupied while I snuck outta there to warm up my frostbitten face! But seeing them made it all worthwhile!

A great release & a great visit!

Monday night was another busy night here in raccoon city! Two groups were released....Laurie released hers and my Baloo, RJ, Rosie, Scootch, Flipper, Willie and Einstein are now free coons! It was a little easier than the first group. With the exception of Baloo and Rosie, this gang wasn't as clingy and had no problem wandering off and letting me escape without following me when the time was right.

Rosie was the first one out while the rest of the sleepy heads lounged in the den box.

Suddenly everyone realizes....hey...she's on the OUTSIDE having fun!!

We wanna go out there! How do we get out there!!!

They FINALLY find the door and it's a mass exodus!

Lots of fun climbing trees and hanging out on the top of the cage!

Flipper

Scootch

Rosie

RJ

Einstein

Willie playing peek-a-boo.......

...and Mr. fireman....he slid down this tree like a fire pole!

Baloo was the last to leave the cage and I kind of had to coax her down to join the others before they took off without her!

I went back Tues. afternoon before work and no sign of anyone!

After releasing Baloo's crew I scooted over to the release site for Diesel's group. Based on the time stamp on the coon cam pictures, they usually start arriving around 7:15pm. I got there about 7 and immediately found Tank up a tree.He was thrilled to see mom again! Shortly there after my baby Dozer showed up and was in my arms with the biggest coonie hugs for mom!

While Tank and Dozer lounged in my lap, Kodiak and Panda came in for dinner. One more was up a tree but wouldn't come down and was too far away to tell who it was.

I hung out with them for about an hour....they look AWESOME! Very healthy, clean and happy. Dozer and Tank were particularly playful and Dozer dug my hat out of my pocket and ran off with it. I never did find it! When it was time to leave Dozer was having none of that....he followed me down to the car. (And it was all I could do not to let him hop in and drive off with him, I'll tell ya!!) Luckily I had some treats in there so I walked him back up there, left a pile of treats for them all, and snuck out of there....once again leaving them behind.

Why do I torture myself?!

Well I guess because as much as it sucks leaving them, it's so wonderful to see that they are doing well and happy! It's the reason I do this!