Playing 'Possum!

This morning was almost unbearably hot so instead of cutting grass, I stayed inside and played in the Fall decorations. I trimmed out the stairway and put garlands up around the doors. Even if the seasons don't agree, I think it should be time for colored leaves, pumpkins and scarecrows! I am so ready for Fall..or maybe I am just ready for a bit of cooler weather! In the early afternoon, a thunderstorm blew in and cooled the temperatures down a good bit. After much lightning, thunder and two inches of rain, the storm ended and I headed outside. I get a bit stir crazy if I am cooped up too long and I have to make my escape to the Bayou. The air outside smelled so fresh and clean!

I headed toward the marsh edge and soon found myself under the persimmon tree. My footsteps were muffled by the wet grass and I could almost sense that something was near..something that was not my usual encounters of rabbits, squirrels or birds. I just was not sure what to expect. After quietly standing there for a few minutes, my eyes focused on a movement to my right. There ambling along was an opossum. Not that seeing a 'possum was unusual around the Bayou..they are everywhere but most of the time, they are nocturnal. They will climb about in the persimmon tree, dig in the compost or dump over the garbage can but more likely than not, it is during the night hours. The 'possum saw me but did not scurry away..she went about her business as if ignoring me. I was thrilled to get a picture of the 'possum and even more thrilled to see that this was a mother 'possum! A young one was catching a piggyback ride on its mama's back! In this case, the young one was quite large and probably should have been on its own already. Perhaps Mama 'Possum was trying to find a nice spot to park this little one so she could make her escape. I watched for a bit until she ventured into the thicket. I will check the compost pile tonight just to see if the juvenile marsupial has taken up residency there. Usually, Mama 'Possum will find some place that has a decent food supply to abandon her little ones when they should be weaned. I have a feeling that Mama thinks Junior should be on his own...now!

The thrill of the 'possum hunt was over so I meandered to the pier. I tried fishing but had no luck whatsoever so decided it was time to head to the house. Another dark cloud was threatening and I did not want to be caught on the pier in a lightning storm! Just as I was stepping back on shore from the pier, something in the marsh edge caught my eye. Again it was a 'possum! Three in one day?? I watched this one as it poked its head out of the marsh. Was it the same one..er..two..that I had seen earlier? The 'possum kept coming toward me. This was a large male and he had no fear of me. He waddled right out of the marsh, poked and prodded around in the grass clumps hunting for anything he could find to eat. Eventually, he wandered under the pier and I lost sight of him. It must have been "Opossum Day" or something!