May 02, 2016: Family Reunion - Sort of
Watch Susan wait for her breakfast
Susan's arrivalToday was simply amazing. Watching the behavior of this family since 3 weeks after birth (November 2015) and produced all sorts of surprises. Today Susan arrived first - then something scared her and she climbed the nearest tree (another video) - and Mom, Bebe, appeared and all the kids stayed away. Bebe finished all the food and was searching for more. I added a half back of food and she continued to eat, but the kids ventured too close so she chased them away (another video). She finished breakfast a 2nd time - and finally returned to the forest. So I added another half bag and 3 kids returned, then a 4th, then Bebe. All the growling was what I call polite growling and they managed to finish the morning as a coherent family. I think Bebe is pregnant and a bit possessive of breakfast until her hunger is satisfied. Why do I think Grumpy is Bebe (mom)? She is larger than the kids, she approaches me and she eats the way she ate when she was nursing the kids - i.e. she takes food, often washes it and then eats.
Posted by Frank Starmer on Monday, May 2, 2016
Susan enjoying a quiet breakfast
Enjoying a breakfast bowl
In the beginningSusan approaches alone - about 3 min after I arrive and quietly eats - sometimes with 1 hand, sometimes with 2 hands.. However, from time to time, she retreats to a tree behind her. She eventually climbed this tree and would not come down - which is when Grumpy appeared
Posted by Frank Starmer on Monday, May 2, 2016
Oops - someone is coming - Susan hides in a tree
Watching me
Susan climbs down from the tree
Susan watching the intruderSusan climbed a nearby tree as something sinister approached (I think her mom). In the tree she watched until it was safe to return to the ground and try to finish her breakfast.
Posted by Frank Starmer on Monday, May 2, 2016
Bebe (Grumpy) eating
Grumpy growling
Grumpy is not pleased with the kids trying to grab some breakfast, here she hisses, growls and finally chases them away
Grumpy's Aggressive BehaviorGrumpy scared Susan up a tree. She eventually returned with her brother (reinforcements) - Susan slowly approached Grumpy from behind - and was detected. Hissing and Growling did not dissuade Susan in her pursuit for breakfast - so Grumpy chased her away. In the end, it seems all was forgiven - next video will show the happy (more or less) family
Posted by Frank Starmer on Monday, May 2, 2016
Grumpy washing her hands
Grumpy washing her food
Grumpy drinking water - Breakfast is over
Susan watching
Susan climbing down
Susan climbing down
Finally on the ground
Susan and her brother drinking
Happy family - 4 Raccoons and a mom
Family
A quiet family reunion and departure
Leaving Bebe's Cafe - one at a timeHere is the family enjoying breakfast with friendly growling - and as they finish, they fade into the forest.
Posted by Frank Starmer on Monday, May 2, 2016
C. Frank Starmer