Raccoons and grapes

The deck is covered each morning with muddy footprints-- all sizes. They show up daily to check out the grapes, usually about the time John leaves for work. (He says he doesn't see them but frankly, unless one jumped on his head he wouldn't notice much at that awful hour.) The grapes taste pretty good to me, but these guys wait for their perfect moment and then the feast is over in just a day. For freeloaders, I notice raccoons can be picky and fastidious. Who says beggars can't be choosers? I took this family picture in the yard a couple of years ago when a mother had five kits under our shed. I know they are "urban pests," but what an unforgettable sight!

Yesterday we enjoyed one more morning of crystalline blue skies, but fall weather suddenly arrived in the afternoon with clouds, rain, wind and temperatures down in the 40's last night.