Saturday, February 25, 2012

A Marsupial Pays A Visit

Thursday night I was sitting at the computer when I heard a noise out on the deck. It was dark but I went to the sliding glass doors to look out. I turned on the outside light and out of the corner of my eye I saw movement. On the top railing of the deck was this little rain drenched possum. What was he after? We keep our trash inside because of wild animals and neighbors unleased dogs so it wasn't that. He apparently was after the bird food in the suet feeders. On the railing just to the left was a dry spot where one feeder had been. He had apparently knocked it off getting up on the railing. The second one hangs on the post to his left. I opened the door to try and scare him and he was on tip toes sniffing the suet. He turned his head and bared his teeth. I grabbed the camera for two or three quick shots before scaring him away.
Usually we only see possums as roadkill on the highways so finding a live possum for a photo opportunity was exciting for a few moments; but I really don't want him staying around too close.
Linking to Camera Critters.

23 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

they are not 'friendly' varmints, unfortunately! you got a good photo of him, though!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

We have to put our bird food UP at nights in order to keep the possums and raccoons out of them... We have both of those critters around here.. That possum is not a pretty thing, is it????? ha
Hugs,
Betsy

Ruta said...

Great shot...but I don't think I would appreciate getting snarled at by a possum.

Unknown said...

Great close up!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River , Canada.

Lisa@ButteryBooks said...

That is not an attractive animal!

Tatjana Parkacheva said...

Nice capture.

Regards and best wishes

Pat said...

Great capture! I've read they usually don't stay in one place for too long.

Kala said...

Oh, it's so cute! Great capture.

Jenn Jilks said...

I love your fences, your birds, and your roses, This little guy look fierce.
Our raccoons are sleeping these days. Thank goodness!
Cheers from Cottage Country!

Sallie (FullTime-Life.com said...

I would have felt just like you did -- fun for a few minutes with the camera and then go away!

Linda said...

what a great capture

Full-On-Forward said...

Carletta-- We have had to relocate over 15-20 that decided to live under our house. They did do much damage and also carry a lot of disease. Esp. bad is TB!! So I know you'll be careful.

They are coming because of a recent subdivison(s), nearby that have destroyed their habitat! We finally found their way in and boarded it up tight! They were fighting the outside stray Cats for the food we put out for them.

Blessings my friend,

J

eileeninmd said...

Hi Carletta, they are cute but weird looking critters. I like seeing the critters but I do not feel safe letting my dog out to chase them. You never know if they have some disease. I always put my feeders that food left in them away and sometimes leave the empty ones hanging. Great captures, I hope you are having a great weekend!

Cheryl said...

I like seeing them scampering around in the backyard from the safe distance of the deck. Knowing this little guy was up on your deck makes me wonder if I really like seeing them at all.

This is a super shot. (Better for you to get it than me. :P)

Chubskulit Rose said...

Oh poor birds, they have a rival on their food!

Beautiful capture.

My Critter post

diane b said...

Good capture but not one you would like to get too often.

JunieRose2005 said...

You got a good pic of the critter....but this is not a favorite animal of mine! I've had them visit my back porch, late at night and, also, raccoons...

SquirrelQueen said...

Great shot Carletta! We have one that makes his rounds each evening and our yard is one his route. There is nothing here for him to eat so he just walks through, I would love to get a good photo of him but don't want him to hang around.

Rose said...

Now there is another face that only a mother could love.

A Colorful World said...

Awww...he's so cute! I never have understood why people seem to hate opossums so much! They are really pretty helpless in this world. This guy sure must've needed a midnight snack! :-)

Kathie Brown said...

What a great photo op though!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

He's got a bad case of the uglies...I do not like possums, especially when they hiss and bare their sharp teeth.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

anything that looks like a rat or mouse, I don't like.