It started slowly with occasional sightings of the familiar old woodchuck ("Woody"). His visits became more frequent and on several occasions "Woody" appeared much younger! Woody loves the green apples falling from an apple tree that last summer magically appeared entwined with my crab apple tree.
Then there was the odd cottontail rabbit or two hopping through the back yard. My yard is not large and I live in a city. Granted, it is a small city, surrounded by country, but still.
One night a few weeks ago I glanced out my back door into the fading light and spotted two adorable, white, fluffy-tailed creatures rummaging on the lawn. The light was not good and I was wondering what they were when one turned just enough so I could make out the black strip running down its back and up the tail - skunks! I was torn between continuing to watch and shutting every window. I shut most of the windows, then returned to watch through the open door, my hand at the ready to close it quickly. Shortly after I lost sight of them, a very mild tang of "skunk" wafted through the once again open windows. Very few signs of Stellar Stenchmaker and Polly Pungent since then.
Since that night, skunk sightings have increased throughout the neighborhood. Mercifully, the revealing scent has, for the most part, been subtle.
One afternoon about 6 p.m. I spied two black and white skunks wrestling in the yard, tails raised high. Torn between breathless fascination and worry about being sprayed, I bemoaned the fact my camera was downloading to my PC and I was unable to photograph Teddy and Tommy Tailbomber. I have spotted one or the other frequently since then, but never together and never close enough or in strong enough light to get a good picture.
No one seems to know why there are so many skunks around this year. I googled skunks and came up with some interesting information, including a wonderful brochure "Coexisting with Skunks" at http://www.nj.gov/counties/mercer/departments/pdfs/mcwc_skunk_facts.pdf.
The brochure describes the benefits of these frequently vilified creatures, safety concerns, and best of all, it contains a "Magical Skunk Deodorizer Recipe."
As for me, my camera is primed and handy, my hopes high that before the summer ends I will get some great pictures of my new neighbors. Need I add I intend to proceed VERY cautiously?
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