I opened the cabin door in the early morning this week in McCall noticing it was still dark outside. Fall is just around the corner. What happened to summer? The dogs were anxious and excited to get out, turns out it was because they knew we had visitors. Normally, our border collie chases the squirrels. This morning both Duke and MMMa were chasing something that growled back. A flurry of circles and the dogs gave chase to the wood pile and began a new round of barking and jumping. I got them back in the house. A bit later my daughter got the attached picture. Mama raccoon and several babies. So cute…right? Raccoons can be a pest in McCall and at our home in Boise. The animal is pesky because they are intelligent – studies show they can remember the solution to a task for at least three years. They are nocturnal and omnivorous. The creatures quickly figure out dog doors lead to dog food. My friend tells me his dog had three of them at bay in his garage and they sat calmly on top of the garage door opening racks waiting for their escape. The name is a derivative of a native term but other cultures gave them names with similar meanings to describe the creature that rubs, scrubs, and scratches with its hands. These little bears wash or rinse their food. How could we not love such a cool animal?
The squirrels are busy getting ready for winter. They bombard cabin roofs, cars, picnic tables and the ground with pine cones. If you irritate them it does seems like they are deliberately throwing the objects at you. I could not find any definitive information on why they drop things from the trees but there are many videos of them clearly throwing them toward the ground. My limited research makes me think it loosens the cones so that they can more easily get to the nut or bud at the center. By the way, MMMa does not like squirrels and chases every one she sees or hears. They taunt her and throw pine cones in her direction. I think the raccoon is craftier, but never underestimate the squirrel.
At long last it rained in McCall this past week end. It cleared the smoke filled skies and provided that indescribable aroma in the forest. My neighbor tells me that smell after a rainstorm is called a Petrichor. More precisely, it is the name of an oil that’s released from the earth into the air before rain begins to fall.
We lost a great American this week. I conclude with a quote from John McCain “Our shared values define us more than our differences. And acknowledging those shared values can see us through our challenges today if we have the wisdom to trust in them again.”
Enjoy the Labor Day week end. Mike