Today we celebrate this holiday with a few photos. Just in time for the 4th of July, the bluebirds have four eggs in the nest box!
third bluebird nest of the season (click on any image to enlarge)
Keeping with a numerical theme, yesterday I found two young bandits had wandered into the Havahart trap. At first I thought I was seeing double! Today they too are celebrating their independence – at an Undisclosed Location far away from Happy Acres. They seemed to be quite happy themselves when they were released.
double trouble
And last but not least we have the black feral kitty we have named Midnight. He (I think it is a male) has remained shy and elusive after more than a year of hanging around our place. He tolerates my presence, as long as I don’t get too close. He’s not too wild though. If I don’t get the food out fast enough for him in the morning, he strolls up to the house to get our attention. I guess you could say he has me trained. Don’t let the photo fool you, I was using a telephoto lens and standing a good fifteen feet away when I got this image.
Midnight in the morning
I’ll be at home today counting my blessings, not the least of which are my many freedoms which I try hard not to take for granted. Happy Holiday!
I can’t believe that you trapped two raccoons at the same time! They are so cute…but, as you said “Double Trouble”!!
I had several ferals at the farm. I had one that would sit right next to me on the picnic bench. (Miss Silver) But, would never let me touch her. She would also go from window to window and talk to me through the glass. Most ferals cannot be tamed enough to actually touch and pet them. “Miss Banana” is from one of “Miss Silver’s” litters. Even though I bottle fed her, she is still different and more skitish then other cats are.
I cannot believe you got TWO raccoons on the same day. That is somewhat of a miracle. Did you have raccoon cocktails in the cage? How did you do it?
Happy Fourth to Happy Acres.
It had to be a tight fit for both of them to get in there before tripping it!
Raccoons are nothing to mess with–dangerous and can be vicious–might hurt the cats. Glad you caught 2 of them. Midnight looks well fed I might add and yes he has YOU trained!!
Congratulations on the bluebird eggs! As for that pair of bandits…as a poultry owner I’m not always happy to see raccoons, but even I have to admit, they look rather adorable, and almost innocent staring up at you from inside that trap. We could use a feral kitty or two around here, to help out with our voles!
It’s been very active around there. Our bluebird box has gone without the bluebirds this year. Maybe something will settle in soon.
What a great bunch of pictures! The bluebird eggs are really beautiful. The raccoons adorable but a royal pain in the patooty so it is good they moved on to another locale (with your help). Finally, Midnight is a handsome fellow. Bless you for sharing food and water with him.
Wow! It was wildlife week for you, huh? Glad you got the raccoons and that two could be relocated together.
How lovely to find the four bluebird eggs! That momma has been hard at work this spring and seems to have taken a shine to your provided houses!
One of the feral cats we take care of is also black and also named Midnight! He’s a much happier guy since we trapped him and had him neutered (and we are too – no more yowling, spraying, fighting, or kittens back there!) It’s great you’ve been your Midnight a meal and that he has someone providing for him. Feeding him may also make him less likely to go after birds…at least I think that’s the case where we are. Hopefully he is returning the food favor by keeping the rodent population down for you!
Hope you had a great holiday!
I can’t believe you got two at once. They must have gone right in there at exactly the same time.
HOLY HECK! Two in one cage? That’s amazing.
I had to take a photo because I wasn’t sure I believed my own eyes! They had to be two from the same litter, because whenever I got near them they would hunker down together. I’ve left the trap out, because there may well be more out there.
Wow 2 raccoons in the same trap! Yikes.