I had NO idea of the wildlife variety in my back yard, at night

[Siwsan]

I thought all I had was some feral cats. I set up a camera to see if I could spot any kittens so I could rescue, foster and hopefully find homes for them.

Instead I'm seeing raccoons and an opossum! I actually think that's pretty groovy. In the Spring, and for the first time, I saw deer hoof prints in the veg garden, and quite close to the house.

I've stopped putting out dry food for the ferals. They weren't getting it, anyway. The raccoons, however, are pretty fat and sassy.

[Cirque du So-What]

1. Want some groundhogs?

Free to good home.

[Siwsan]

2. I used to have a real problem with groundhogs. The feral cats seem to have resolved it.

I saw one groundhog, this year, up the street and casually leaning up against the curb. It was pretty funny.

They used to den somewhere on my neighbor's property, but once the feral cats moved in, the groundhogs seem to have relocated. I wonder if the ferals were cleaning out the pups.

[Cirque du So-What]

4. There was a huge feral cat who hung out in the back yard

Big orange tom who was always up for a scrap with various & sundry passersby. He was sitting on the fence when I saw a large groundhog walking along at the bottom of the fence. I expected to see fur fly, but the cat didn’t make a move at all - even when the whistle pig was right below him. Discretion is truly the better part of valor.

[Midnightwalk]

3. I've been wanting a wildlife camera for a long time

We get bobcats around the house and on the roof occasionally. Coyotes and javelinas. We even think we saw a mountain lion once hopping over the fence when we came up the driveway. Pretty ragged looking big cat with long tail. Also a ringtail cat once.

Maybe I’ll treat myself. Suggestions welcome.

[Siwsan]

5. All I set up is a simple Blink camera

It runs on batteries and internet. Any activity in the camera range registers on my phone and tablet. I also have one at my front door. They have 'night vision' and a speaker.

[imaginary girl]

6. Cool! I've read opossums eat ticks! Nt

[Siwsan]

7. I knew there were raccoons in the area- found their prints, this Spring. Had NO idea about opossums!

I'm wondering where they are living. Now I feel inspired to do a little research. I do have a big Maple tree, right next to the house and a couple in my back lot.

[Mike 03]

8. Raccoons are fun. I have a few of them and I put dog food out

for them several times a week. They have amazing little hands and they wash food in bird baths before they eat it (if the food has dirt on it)!

I also have a coyote who sometimes jumps the fence and eats the dog food before the raccoons arrive.

A backyard can be one of the most exciting places!

[Siwsan]

9. I don't even mind when my phone alerts me to 'activity' in the middle of the night

I am actually a little disappointed if I discover I slept through one of those alerts.