Hanging feeders for the birds,
I had not expected herds,
Bandits coming in the night,
Gobbling food with all their might.
Table manners, not so good,
Faces masked, but without hood,
Swinging on the feeder tube,
Like a common country rube.
One sat on the table top,
One beneath ate what might drop.
Cleaning up left over scraps,
Without worries about traps.
To watch the video, you have to be very quick. It’s only about 4 seconds long. You may have to replay it a few times to see the top raccoon stuffing his face, with the feeder at an angle so the seeds fall out better, and the other raccoon sitting underneath him, cleaning up.
I should be thankful that they clean up after themselves.
April 11, 2023 at 1:45 pm
I’ve had a similar problem only mine is very bold. He just stood there and stared at me after he had taken my bird feeder completely apart. I discovered that they don’t like safflower seed but the birds love it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 11, 2023 at 2:42 pm
That’s really good to know! Thanks.
LikeLike
April 11, 2023 at 2:39 pm
Racoons have no shame for their behaviour. Its like they see you watching them do bad stuff and look at you as if to say “What??” Happy Tuesday Anneli. Allan
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 11, 2023 at 2:41 pm
Exactly! They didn’t care that I was there shining a light on them. Just wish I could have had better lighting for the photos, or else more camera know-how.
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 11, 2023 at 2:51 pm
I have never been a fan of coons. 😬
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 11, 2023 at 4:49 pm
They’re cute but we must never forget they can be ferocious.
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 11, 2023 at 5:16 pm
Exactly, we took care of them back in Michigan frequently…
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 11, 2023 at 5:51 pm
I don’t have a feeder and I’ve only see them in the wild. I guess they’ll travel a bit for an easy meal.
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 11, 2023 at 6:38 pm
The ones in our neighbourhood are residents and don’t go far. There is enough shrubbery and plenty of tall trees so they can be safe during the day. We are semi-rural, but getting more “citified” all the time (unfortunately).
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 11, 2023 at 10:38 pm
Cheeky!
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 12, 2023 at 9:18 am
That they are!
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 11, 2023 at 10:58 pm
Raccoons are, without a doubt, very cute, smart, destructive and determined. I found that they weren’t good with the very light tube feeders.
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 12, 2023 at 9:18 am
I should try to come up with a better bird feeder system. I’ll put my thinking cap on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 12, 2023 at 12:00 am
I hate racoons, they killed a lot of our chickens back on the Charlottes.
LikeLike
April 12, 2023 at 9:17 am
Oh, yes! I’ve lost a lot of chickens to them in the past. We could never have chickens here. There are way too many raccoons.
LikeLike
April 12, 2023 at 5:08 am
I loved your poem, Anneli. The video displayed on a large monitor gave a good glimpse of the little critter. Too cute.
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 12, 2023 at 9:37 am
I love your poem, Anneli, and even though raccoons are cute, they have a mean streak. We used to have them here in the backyard years ago, but we haven’t seen any lately. Fine with me. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 12, 2023 at 11:05 am
Tnx, Lauren. Too bad the raccoons are so destructive to all I want to do (like have a little dog in the yard).
LikeLike
April 12, 2023 at 4:09 pm
Oh my! They can be pains. But they are cute. The other night one walked behind the house and I had to text my son not to let his dog out there!
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 12, 2023 at 7:26 pm
Definitely not off leash!
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 13, 2023 at 2:19 pm
Definitely not.
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 12, 2023 at 6:28 pm
I saw so many raccoons in our backyard..they ate all of these grapes in my yard last year. Anita
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 12, 2023 at 7:24 pm
They’re devils!
LikeLike
April 12, 2023 at 8:01 pm
I do love them. I used to keep them away from the bird feeders by putting out some deer corn for them. The birds wouldn’t touch it, the raccoons loved it, and peace prevailed in the valley. (Besides that, my birdseed bill went down considerably. Deer corn’s cheap.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 13, 2023 at 8:13 am
I would do that, but I’d rather they stayed away because of having a spaniel.
LikeLike
April 13, 2023 at 7:54 am
Looks like the racoons have been scouting your bird feeder. Probably waiting for days, maybe weeks for you to hang the feeders. “Finally, she’s done it. It’s party time!”
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 13, 2023 at 8:13 am
Actually, they have been constant visitors. I used to bring the feeders in at night because of them, but I got lazy. And also, it’s hard to get pictures with a camera. We caught one in a live trap under the feeder a few weeks ago, but he was so cute, I’m embarrassed to say, we let him go.
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 14, 2023 at 10:17 am
Anneli, I so admire your dedication to wildlife! They must consider you as their hero! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 14, 2023 at 1:22 pm
They must (!) because even the bad actors come here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 26, 2023 at 10:03 am
Oh my! The masked bandits return. Where there are two, more may be hiding in the shadows. Sounds like a plot for a short story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 26, 2023 at 10:53 am
There are at least ten of them (that I’ve seen at one time). Way too many!
LikeLike
April 28, 2023 at 4:59 pm
They are into everything!
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 28, 2023 at 5:28 pm
Bad bandits.
LikeLiked by 1 person