Skunk report

    I saw only one skunk today, in the same yard where I've been seeing them for a few weeks now. But such beauty. I am enchanted. The neighbors report that the skunks own the first 50 yards or so of the road, but past that, it's all raccoons.
    Now, I like to look at a raccoon as much as any wildlife appreciator, but there's nothing like opening a cabin door and being growled at by a semi-circle of masked marauders baring their teeth to ever think of attempting to have one as a pet, Sterling North's Rascal notwithstanding. (Yes, this happened to me.) I've also heard of too many people whose cute little raccoons grew up and one day, out of the blue, attacked them.
    So I will enjoy raccoons from a distance. Preferably through glass. And not leave cat food outside overnight anymore.
    Not that I'm thinking about making a pet of any non-domesticated animal. Most of the fun of seeing wild animals for me is that they are part of a place. That seeing them is (usually) a rare and wondrous privilege. For me, a skunk loses much of its skunkness if you de-gland it and snuggle with it on the couch. (I am being very careful to say "for me." It is obvious that other people don't feel this way.)

    Ach. What is that stench wafting through my window? Am I having a Wilderness Experience??

    I think I have said pretty much everything I need to say about skunks for the time being.