You had me at goose attack but I stayed for the raccoons. NOPE, I’m out when I see them, especially more than one. They are wicked smart, they work as a team and they have hands. That weirds me out. They only look cute, but when they are on a mission, they are focused and tenacious... so, no...
I swim in San Francisco Bay, where we occasionally have to fend off inquisitive harbor seals or even sea lions. But the land mammals (raccoons, rats, coyotes) generally have the good sense to stay on dry land. Maybe the bay water—currently 58°F and dropping—is too cold for them
This is one I really needed today! Not only because of the top-notch narrative build-up and because of the insight that animals likely often think "Whoa!" when they see us unexpectedly but because this particular insight applies to my own life: "...or what passes for admiration; it might be irritation." In my MFA program I regularly wonder whether someone is expressing one or the other for me and I often can't tell. I am less disturbed by the lack of evidence-based conclusion either way now that I have the words for it. Thank you.
I have never seen a raccoon and have no idea how dangerous they might be. In my tv informed imagination i see them sitting by the waters edge washing whatever they have found for breakfast. Have I been mislead, are they masked marauders that will climb you like a goanna, or do they have the bone crushing jaws of a Tasmania devil.
You had me at goose attack but I stayed for the raccoons. NOPE, I’m out when I see them, especially more than one. They are wicked smart, they work as a team and they have hands. That weirds me out. They only look cute, but when they are on a mission, they are focused and tenacious... so, no...
Good call, especially if, as is true here in Pennsylvania, they often carry rabies.
But I'm sorry you didn't get to swim.
When I read something like this, I am drawn to my indoor chlorinated pool. 🤣😮🥰
I swim in San Francisco Bay, where we occasionally have to fend off inquisitive harbor seals or even sea lions. But the land mammals (raccoons, rats, coyotes) generally have the good sense to stay on dry land. Maybe the bay water—currently 58°F and dropping—is too cold for them
You made the right call. Raccoons are harbingers of mayhem.
This is one I really needed today! Not only because of the top-notch narrative build-up and because of the insight that animals likely often think "Whoa!" when they see us unexpectedly but because this particular insight applies to my own life: "...or what passes for admiration; it might be irritation." In my MFA program I regularly wonder whether someone is expressing one or the other for me and I often can't tell. I am less disturbed by the lack of evidence-based conclusion either way now that I have the words for it. Thank you.
I have never seen a raccoon and have no idea how dangerous they might be. In my tv informed imagination i see them sitting by the waters edge washing whatever they have found for breakfast. Have I been mislead, are they masked marauders that will climb you like a goanna, or do they have the bone crushing jaws of a Tasmania devil.