It is not uncommon for folks to want to meander down to the pier when they come to visit the Bayou. It seems as if the pier is, not only my favorite place, but is that of most people. The water calls and we answer. There is just something calming hearing the waves, the shorebirds and the silence....yep, the silence. Being away from the hustle and bustle of the outside world makes the Bayou intriguing yet peaceful. The pier is a gathering place for friends.
Not all friends who use the pier are of the people sort. In fact, there are more critter friends making use of the place than people. Pelicans, seagulls, terns...all rest there. Ospreys use the posts as perches as they scan the waters. Ducks, geese and cormorants have come to visit. Turtles, otters, rice rats, possums and fox have wandered down the walk. Lizards and snakes sun themselves on the planks. Any number of critters visit on a daily (or nightly) basis.
This morning, Mark and I made a hasty trek to the pier then hurried back to the Little Bayou House. Ahead of a cold front, rain was threatening so staying was out of the question. If it had just been us, we would not have been worried but the old dog, Mr. PJ, does not move as quickly as he once did. As soon as we were back inside, I turned to flip the latch on the door when I saw that we had just missed one of our friends. A half-grown raccoon was ambling up the pier toward the shoreline. He would stop to sniff each spot where the old dog's feet had patted up the planks. He was alert but seemed calm as he walked. He was in no hurry even after he saw me coming down the pathway toward him. This little raccoon is often seen near or on the pier. He is used to my presence and that of the old dog.
After a few moments of searching for a bit of breakfast, the little coon slid off the pier and worried a few fiddler crabs before climbing into the nearby oak tree. Once there, he nibbled a few acorns before choosing the perfect spot to sleep the day away. This little night critter was ready for a snooze!
The little raccoon friend has been a regular visitor to the back porch both morning and evening. He comes to share a meal with Ms. Nycto, the Bayou Princess Cat. She seems to tolerate the rascal and he seems to ignore her presence so they get along well. This morning, the raccoon (now named "Chase" by my sweet granddaughter, Mary Ruth) actually seemed to beg for his breakfast. He stood up on his hind legs and held his little paws out as if asking "Breakfast, please?" How could I resist? Of course! This morning, he ate toast with me.
Later when Mark and I were heading to the pier, I noticed little paw prints on the garden gate. These were none other than Chase's prints! He left evidence of his entering the garden! I had to snicker when I saw the prints as it reminded me of so long ago when I would be washing windows and my kids, who were youngsters at the time, would tell me that I missed a spot. This was proudly done while smearing their jelly laden hands all over the inside of the window that I had just washed! I gave up! How can you compete with three lively youngsters? To be honest, I have not done a lot of window-washing since then! Today, however, the little paw prints inspired me to repaint the garden gates. As soon as I finish clearing the gardens themselves, the gates will be scrubbed and given a fresh coat of paint!
Chase, the young raccoon, will most likely become a permanent fixture here on the Bayou. With that, I suppose I shall find more paw prints scattered about the place as he tries to inform me that I "missed a spot". I would love to see him venture down in the creek bed and make a home there rather than at my doorstep but, hey, while he is here, you just gotta love him!
The new "pet" has made itself right at home. Back during the early fall, three tiny raccoons were abandoned by their mom in the old oak tree. This tree overhangs the house so all night long, I could hear acorns pelting the rooftop. Mama Coon knew right where to park those little ones to make sure they had plenty to eat in her absence. During the daytime hours, the babies would often climb down the tree and wander about the yard. I noticed that they would always clean up any food that Ms. Nycto, the Bayou Princess Cat, had left in her bowl. Well, as babies have a habit of doing, the trio grew and became the same size as the cat whose bowl they were raiding. Then, two were missing. A traumatic ending befell at least one of the babies as the bobcat caught it. Hopefully, the end was quick and painless. Probably not, however. I never knew what happened to baby number two. It just never returned to the old oak tree. Baby number three had decided that it is much safer staying close to the Little Bayou House and has befriended its benefactor, Ms. Nycto.
For the past few weeks, each time I go to feed the cat, the juvenile raccoon is there waiting for its handout as well. The first night, the little rascal actually stole the cat's food...bowl and all! Now, the coon sits patiently as I feed the cat and then ask it if it wants something to eat. Then, and only then, will the raccoon take its food. If the little bandit gets frightened, it will scamper off the porch and down the steps but does not go far. I can call to it and back up on the porch it comes.
I am not sure this is a good idea, though. Just like babies growing into juvenile raccoons, those juveniles mature to become adults. I do not need a full grown raccoon as a pet! Actually, I do not need this little one as a "pet"! It needs to wander itself back into the woods, find a mate and start a family far down in the creek bed. For the time being, though, I guess it can at least grab a meal or two.
I do find it strange that Ms. Nycto has no qualms about sharing her meals with the raccoon when she has problems being in the same yard with the old cat, Ms. Put, aka the Bayou Queen. Those two have a ritual of howling at each other whenever they are within a hundred feet of one another. I guess the little coon is not a threat to Ms. Nycto's cathood!
