Tuesday, January 19, 2010

~A Thief In Broad Daylight~

Hello!! I'm so glad you popped in today...
More Christmas you ask? No, my friends. My goal on Sunday after the fog lifted and the temperatures rose, to get all of this stuff put away. With our temperatures being below zero for many days in a row and barely reaching freezing all of this was frozen in place. This was still out and way past time to be put away. If you look closely under the table, you'll see what stopped me in my tracks.

Welcome to Outdoor Wednesday. Graciously hosted each week by Susan for us to share our outdoor beauty.

Yes, my friends, we have a thief! Right here at our back door. I've wondered why the dog food and the bread were disappearing more quickly than normal. This is our culprit. This baby possum has been helping himself, probably for awhile now.

Scary looking to me..





I wander what he's looking for?







Sniffing the sides of the pan, I'm not sure for what, but he spent a great deal of time at this small chore.


It didn't seem to matter how loud or how long I tapped on the window, nothing detoured him from eating. :-))





It's almost as if he enjoys having me watch him eat. Seems he's finally reached his goal. All four paws are in the pan. His momma sure didn't teach him any manners did she? Doesn't he know you don't put your feet on the table, but under it? Guess in his case that might be a bit difficult, since the pan is on the ground. lol



Yes, he's still watching me watch him.. lol

Our staring at each other lasted about 45 minutes. I was pretty glad to see he finally got his tummy full and took off, just around the bushes to hide, but none the less he left this area so I could get my work done..lol You see I wasn't about to go outside until he was done and moved on. Yes, all of this pictures were taken through glass. I'm brave, but not that brave.. lol

Thank you for swinging by today and saying hello. Please swing over to Susan's for a feast of outdoor spaces.

hugs ~lynne~
Just a little post it here. On Tuesday afternoon while standing at the kitchen window this little scamp came back... man alive they must be hungry. Once again he went right for Murphy's dog pan. I "almost" feel sorry for them. It's been so cold here for so long, I know they are scrambling to find something to eat, but I sure wish he would look elsewhere. Not too crazy about being scared whit-less when I walk out my own back door..lol




61 comments:

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh my word. I am with you, I would not be outside with him either. Wonder where he came from. Anyway, I so hope he leaves for good soon. Hugs, Marty

Patsy said...

Hi, Lynn we see them on the patio at night some time, poor guy must be real hungry to come in the day light.
Patsy

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

J says be careful of those little varmints! You got some great shots. You should send them to Missouri Conservationist. I always say I'm going to do that, but never get around to it.

Was he hissing at you?

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

Oh, I just remembered. Granny Clampett was always making possum stew! Remember?LOL

Salmagundi said...

What an interesting encounter! They do look a little scary with those claws. Thanks for sharing it with us. Did you get your work done? Sally

Joyce said...

I think he needs a Grayhound bus ticket out to the ozarks to meet up with his family. He certainly has a big appetite too:) Are you coming to the tea next week? So far we have 14 coming.
Joyce

Joyce said...

I think he needs a Grayhound bus ticket out to the ozarks to meet up with his family. He certainly has a big appetite too:) Are you coming to the tea next week? So far we have 14 coming.
Joyce

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I would have to stay inside if he was out there also. What good pictures but ugly little guy isn't he? Poor thing so hungry, no sign of the Mama?

9405018--Pat said...

Hi Lynne, you won't belive this but we had a POSSUN this morning....a Big one very ugly....He climb the fence and just walk all around looking for food. Last summer we had trouble with them eating our tomatoes. Do you have rain yet? We have a little drizzle now when will we have sunshine????? ...hugs Pat

Kammy said...

Hi Lynne !
Wow, another pet - what will you name him ?? I think it should be Munchy....LOL ! Do be careful he doesn't bite your dog....I had something - still not sure what -bite my little dog a few years back and scared the heck out of me ! You are brave...kinda like when I put my hand in the grain barrell in the dark - where the mice like to hang out....
Hugs ~ Kammy

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Hi Pat, I'm not sure when we're going to have sunshine again.. hasn't this been something else?? A bit of drizzle coming home, no rain yet...I know these little critters are hungry, but I would sure love for this one to move on..lol hugs ~lynne~

Kathysue said...

Whoa! Lynne, that is scary, I have never seen one that close, they really have long sharp nails and teeth,Yikes. Kathysue

Stacey said...

Lynne, he's so cute! I love to see them in our yard. Never have during the day though. I've always heard that possums really don't see well. Don't know if it's true. You got some great pictures. :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Lynne! I'm with you - I'm skeerd of these little critters! They do look so scary! We've had some mamas prowl around here. One was in the front yard and Chloe Dawn saw him. That thing scrambled up the tree and stayed there all day long! The hair on my arms is standing up! Yuk!!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Anonymous said...

I don't like possums. One was after our little doggy for awhile. Creepy little things, for sure. Rosie

Pinky said...

Oh my, I wouldn't be anywhere NEAR outside with him out there! AAAUUGGHH!!! Great pictures! He may be a bay but NOT cute, to me!!!:):) XO, Pinky

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Hi Pinky my dear friend, you're right he maybe a baby, still not cute. lol.. he's been a regular visitor the last few days... I hope all is well with you.. so good to have you stop by and say hello... hugs ~lynne~

Joanne Kennedy said...

Oh I think he is darling! Did you know that you can keep them as a pet? They are very easy to potty train and can be as sweet as a cat. They need to be tamed when they are a baby though.

I used to have them all the time where I lived. I would put food out for them. One came every night.

We had one fall in a trash can and we thought it was dead. We called out animal control to get him but then we found out he was just playing opposum and came to life when the man tried to pick him up.

It's rare for them to attack an animal. Most of the time they run away. Only if they are starving and feel attacked will they go after another animal. I doubt if they would ever go after a human though.

Can you tell I'm a big animal lover and believe all animals are sweet.

Hugs,
joanne

Anonymous said...

The little thing must be hungry, but I'm with you on the wishing that he would move on. My brother came home one day from work and found one in his house!! Glad it was his house and not mine!! LOL...

~Cindy~

vignette design said...

I don't know Lynn, he looks like he could be a little vicious! Glad you took those amazing pictures through glass. --Delores

Ebie said...

Oh, boy, he must be hungry, he devoured everything. Honestly I have not seen a possum this so close thru your shots!

Ebie's Outdoor Wednesday.

Tardevil said...

At first I thought he was cute, and then I felt sorry for him because he (or she) must be hungry. But you're right, he's not much in the looks dept. Maybe it will thaw out there soon, and he'll be able to find food elsewhere! Hope you're having a great day!

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

Oh, this poor little thing. His paws might look a little bit scary but apart from that I find him just so cute! Thanks for sharing those adorable pictures!

Hugs,
Julia

Anonymous said...

Ick, that is one critter that gives me the creeps!! Your photos almost make him or her look cute.

Kathy b

Carolyn Ford said...

Wow! This guy is getting a little fat and sassy!

Four Paws and Co said...

Awww, he's so cute! Great pictures Lynne! It's a hard winter for the little critters this year. ☺♥☺

Light and Voices said...

Isn't that varmint incredibly hungry to put all paws inside the pan to eat? Ahhh....so "cute." Nice images of his/her coat.
Joyce M

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

so, so CUTE......love it

Maggie said...

Scary but cute with it. I have never seen a possum before and didn't know that they were dangerous.
I'd stay indoors and watch him too!
~Maggie~

Becky K. said...

Those toes are soooo pink!

What a surprise finding this guy must have been. And he obviously has little or no fear of you.

Hmmmm....

Becky K.

Monkey Mommy said...

looking like he has been eating right.

Happy Wednesday

Helena said...

Great pictures! I don't think I've ever seen closeups like that of them before. He sure does look vicious in that first shot. I wouldn't want to get between him and the food. :)

bj said...

Guess you could trap him and make possum stew...ewwwwww!!
He is 'almost' cute but not quite!!
Maybe he will move on soon..or you may just have to move the pan inside for awhile....
xo bj

Dolores said...

Good morning Lynne,
You and your camera are great, you really captured some wonderful up close and personal pictures of the little possum. We have some in our area, but they aren't nearly as fuzzy as 'yours'...I guess God gave the ones in your are more fur to keep them warm.
The have sharp teeth..... eeeek, good that you were inside.
Love,
Dolores

EJ said...

That huge sucker is probably looking for meat hehehehe. Nice catch! I just followed your blog by the way.

Snow no More for Outdoor Wednesday.

Maryrose said...

Hi Lynne,
He is kinda cute and you got some great pics of him. But I don't think I would like to meet him face to face either..cute or not. We have these guys in our yard too and they think they own it (actually they do ;). Cute post.
Maryrose

annies home said...

we often have possums come up in our yard as well. Hubby tells me they are dangerous because of their teeth and claws. All I can say is that I think they sure are ugly I only know that thanks to your pictures

Fifi Flowers said...

How CUTE!!!

Ms. Bake-it said...

Great pictures Lynne! I am probably crazy but I think he is cute! I too have some come around and eat the cat food a put out for the stray/feral cats.

~ Tracy

Melissa Miller said...

LOL! Lynne oh my goodness poor guy he must starved. It looks so cold.
I'm sure he will move along when it warms up.

Have a blessed week. ~Melissa :)

Mary Bergfeld said...

What wonderful photos, Lynne. I always enjoy seeing wild like in my backyard. This bandit needs a manicure. I hope you are having a wonderful Outdoor Wednesday.

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Yikes! I cannot stand them, and you know their sharp teeth can really injur a dog (humans too of course). A dog I used to have always wanted to fight them when she saw them. I am scared to pieces of them. You be careful! laurie

From the Old InkWell said...

Lynne, he has such lovely nails. Looks like he's had a manicure! LOL! ..or is he a she?

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

Lynne, here is a link to the conservationist. I thought somewhere there was place for submitting photos. I think any of those closeup would be great to submit.

http://mdc.mo.gov/conmag/

I made soup today. I didn't have a possum, so I substituted chicken;-).

farmhouse wares said...

You got amazing shots of your little visitor. I think he's handsome.

eileeninmd said...

Those teeth and claws do look scary. He waasn't leaving till he had a belly full. Great shots.

Regina said...

Such a cute creature.
Great shots:)

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

He's kinda cute, but scarey too! I wouldn't want to be around him either!

Katherine

Nancy said...

I am SO with you on the scary part. We have (mangy) fox, deer, skunks and I don't WANT to know what else lurking in our "yard". We are pretty sure there were bear tracks in the snow last year. I stay inside ALWAYS!

Elisa said...

Scary looking possum. The only ones I've seen are way skinny! So this one must be well fed ;)

"Blossom" said...

Lynne,
thank you for stopping by. Well I didn't do the pellet and I got intouch with a GYOBM from my daughter who is a nurse. Well she put me on a real small patch of estrogen and I have put the seond one on this week. So we will see.
It terrible when you can't stand yourself. I have a husband who is so sweet and he understands. But now it's affected me. Awful. But I am going to see how this goes. Not happy about it but right now I don't have any other choice. Wish me luck!

Anonymous said...

That's too funny! He's a big guy too. They scare me. I had one hiss at me once and I ran away screaming. LOL

I feel bad for him though. He's probably starving. I'd be the type to throw food out the door and then slam it shut.

Lynette said...

Look at those claws - wow - they could do some damage if those things got a-hold of you - YIKES!

I think you're pretty brave to even stand there that long!

Kat said...

Possums are such funny little creatures. They look a little scary, and that hiss is surely off putting, but they are generally harmless. You got some really great shots of him. And I'm so impressed that you took these behind glass, girl your windows are spotless! Kathy

Debbie said...

You are very brave to get so close. Those sharp little teeth look like they could take a bite out of a camera lens. But oh he's cute. Growing up we had skunks come raid the cat food, I usually made a pet or two out of them until my dad would get mad at me. Smelly but cute!

These pictures are way cute of the little thief!

Anonymous said...

What great pics of the creepy critter!!

Would also LOVE your support on the ELLE DECOR window I did for the Big Window Challenge this year with Apartment Therapy. Check it out at - http://www.bigwindowchallenge com. As we all know, AT doesn’t make it easy, but you can vote TWICE a day, once online and the other by texting “1” to 89800.

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Eddie

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Hi Lynne! They are ugly little critters, aren't they? I was at my daughter's yesterday when she let her 6...yes, six...dogs out. We spotted a possum way up in a big tree watching the commotion! I thought they were nocturnal, too! Happy weekend...hugs...Debbie

Phyllis @Around the House said...

Just no matter how you look at them they are just ugly, but he sure did like that bread and seemed happy to have it...love your great pictures....Phyllis..thanks for having my button, I worked so hard to get it...lol

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Hey sweet girl...hope all is well with you my friend...You know I worry when I don't hear from you...I emailed you the other day...Hugs and Love ya Lynne...Gl♥ria

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hi Lynne,
Looks like our place! Great photos~ we can't keep anything out now after we started drawing in every creature around! I bet he is more scared of you than you of him! Still, it's freaky at the back door! Hugs, Cindy

Chrissy...The Apothecary Shop said...

Lynne...I am sorry but I don;t like your visitor AT ALL!!! Scary indeed!! O.k. so we dropped Jess off and after about 2 hours he called us to come get him,when we picked him up he said "Bad News"my heart sank......the bad news was he had to be back in an hour to do his psycological test!!!!!! Little bugger did so well they asked him to stay!! He had two female officers interview him(hes a charmer that boy of mine) anyway,next step is his background check...so we just have to wait it out,16 people to contact!! Thank you so much for asking,your an amazing person,hope you know that!! 0x0x0x0x0x0