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Friday, September 26, 2025

A Couple of Critters


Although I often find other evidences of skunks in the neighborhood (winter tracks, dead in the road, nighttime release of their delightful scent), I hardly ever see the real thing just calmly wandering around the yard.

I do have a good skunk story though. Long ago our dog Hezekiah, who was not a killer, but he loved to play with little furry friends, brought me a snub-nosed black baby with a white nose stripe- alive. It was about the size of a chipmunk and actually looked a lot like a puppy. It did take me a few minutes to figure out what on earth it was. He'd gotten into a den of baby skunks underneath a shed and somehow avoided tangling with mom. Since the babies don't have the scent glands, the characteristic odor didn't help me with the ID. I put the babies back, but things probably did not go well for them. I really don't know. But that was my first experience with baby skunks. Really cute!

This one is full grown and I did not feel the need to approach it.
skunk


Not such a good picture of this. It's a very common butterfly called a Painted Lady, Vanessa cardui. However a search of my blog says I've never gotten a picture of one before. And it was determined to stay on the other side of the flower, but it was sure enjoying this sedum in bloom.
painted lady butterfly on light purple sedum flowers


Worked on all my projects today. Planted some asters a friend brought me and potted some cuttings. Did a little bit on plant records. I'd like to get those caught up! Probably didn't work hard enough on things with real deadlines.

See Butterflies

6 comments:

rainfield61 said...

We don't have a single skunk in Malaysia, so I've never had an experience with one.

Ann said...

I didn't know that about baby skunks. There have been a few times I've gone to let Gibbs out and could smell a skunk. I'm always afraid he's going to go out there and come face to face with one.

The Oceanside Animals said...

Chaplin: "Charlee! How did you get way out there?"
Charlee: "I AM NOT A SKUNK!!!"

Sharkbytes said...

Rainfield- interesting! Well, you aren't missing a treat, that's for sure

Sharkbytes said...

Ann- yeah, it's pretty awful when dogs tangle with them

Sharkbytes said...

Charlee- Even though I have not met you, I am pretty sure you smell better than a skunk