Mama Raccoon and the Kits

I was just saying the other day, that I never have my camera whenever I see a raccoon.  Well, not that this is a great shot, but Hurray - I finally got a pic.  

This was an unusual situation as mama raccoon made her nest clear at the top of the Giant White Bird of Paradise that grows next to our pool cage.

So when we noticed her she had already given birth to two kits.  Well, we could sit on our couch and watch her from the living room as she sat in her nest during the day.  It was very interesting to see her move her babies around - she seemed a little rough, but I'm sure she knew what she was doing.

Anyway, we tried not to disturb her by going out onto the lanai, but we had to take care of the pool and water orchids, etc. and she finally decided to move her kits to a new nest somewhere.  I don't know where.  

While she was moving the first baby, I went out and tried to get some photos of the other little guy.  It wasn't ideal conditions - the sun was beating down, taken through the pool cage screen, but there he is.  Looking kind of like a little sloth.  

I'm glad she moved them as we desperately need to powerwash the pool cage and I hated disturbing them whenever I needed to go out back.  

But it's always fun to have a front line seat to the backyard nature show!

For just one second, I'm going to say something about my health - which is a subject I don't like to discuss - kind of like politics and religion.

Last week I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that I have to take some rather heavy-duty pharmaceuticals to help combat any damage that it is doing.  

I have no idea how this will affect me and may or may not hinder my gardening (and just when we're coming into the fun gardening season!!!), but I thought I'd just say if you don't see anything very exciting showing up in my gardens lately, this is why.

I hope I can continue on as usual, time will tell.

But even if I can't garden much, there is still always something interesting (at least to me) going on in the yard.  Even if it's just a fly on a leaf.  I love the iridescent colors, his wing details and of course that gorgeous green leaf!

Or maybe this cool Orb Weaver.

Or how this collapsed wet spiderweb turns into a rain chain.

Anyway, changes are a part of life.  I'm trying to think positive.  I'm changing my life of debauchery, like giving up alcohol, seriously exercising and eating a mainly plant based diet.  (What took me so long! lol)

And Hey - I've still got Magnolias blooming!  :)