Little Bandit

I suppose that I am just an old softy when it comes to baby critters..or even juvenile critters if they look at me long enough with some big, sad eyes! No matter what type they are, I tend to think they are adorable and, well..just have to feed them! This afternoon was no different than any other time and the little raccoon was no different than any other critter..it was fed. I know that these critters can grow up to be rather nasty tempered varmints but when they are small and hungry, I cannot leave well enough alone.

I had been putting seeds in the bird feeders and scattering some on the ground for all the hungry birds but this afternoon the little raccoon visited to get his share. It had been storming all day making the seeds wet and washing many of them below the leaves and grass. Seeing the little fellow try to pick up the tiny birdseed from the ground was breaking my heart so I gathered up a cup of sunflower seeds and a bit of cat food for him. At least this would make it a bit easier for the critter to munch.

He skittered away when I went down the board path toward the feeders but was soon back. I suppose that he knew that supper was being served. For about twenty minutes, he ignored me as I took pictures of him eating his new found meal. As I watched him, I was impressed at how adept he was at using his front paws. His long slender fingers could deftly sort the seeds and pieces of cat food from the leaves and sticks. He would then poke the tidbits into his mouth and reach down to search for another piece.

I wondered if this was one of the baby raccoons that was always hanging around the base of the pier. There were three of them this summer that would feed upon the fiddler crabs and bull minnows in the little tide pools. During the late Fall, I could only find one of them and I assumed that the other two had gone their separate ways. One little fellow stayed close and grew accustomed to my presence during my daily walks. I could see him peering from between the marsh grasses or from under the pier boards but he never ran far.

Although the little coon seemed to prefer the cat food, he did hang around enough to down most of the sunflower seeds as well. After eating his fill, he turned to look at me as if to say thanks before heading back to the marsh edge. I am sure with the stormy weather we have had all day, the easy meal was quite appreciated. Now..I just hope he remembers and returns the kindness this Spring by staying out of the garden when the cantaloupes and watermelons are ripening!