Palemaleirregulars: BOAT POND MOM AND THE KITS

Friday, May 26, 2006

BOAT POND MOM AND THE KITS

As Eleanor Tauber had sent me the gorgeous photograph previously posted on the site of the Model Boat Pond Raccoon, I asked if she might get a photo of the Raccoon's kits... if she had a chance.

Well Eleanor, stalwart woman that she is, has spent hours, and days attempting to do just that.
Below, her adventure and the wonderful fruits of her labor.

All photos by Eleanor Tauber

From Eleanor,

Let me tell what went on today:-Mom came out and climbed to a tree knob above the hole. The kits started peeking out.

Mom puts her paw in front of them, they strain to get their bodies out, she pushes them back in, but it happens again and again and so finally she climbs back into the hole.

I'm sure she'd like to leave and get some food, but she can't leave because the kits keep trying to get out. Every time she comes out yet again, the whole sequence is repeated, with her having to go back in the hole.

Just when I thought she was infinitely patient, she grabbed one by the scruff of the neck. It was quite a struggle, because that little one really strained not to be pushed back in!

Finally she stuffed the kit in, then climbed in herself. She went in and out about 7 times, and the last time she didn't come back out again.

The sequence went on from approximately 3:00 to 5:00 pm. She'll have to leave them alone at some point, and either they will survive her going off or not. They hang out of the hole and look very conspicuous.

I am so happy, I finally got pictures of them!

Mom comes out.