In the state park campgrounds in Puget Sound, raccoons have learned to work zippers. In one case, on Jones Island, I believe, a deer and a raccoon approached a tent. The deer distracted the people by acting cute, while the coon unzipped the back door and fetched out a bag of food. The two animals then shared the spoils. Truly admirable teamwork.
Another time, I approached a beach where a couple ahead of me were standing with their backs to their tandem kayak while doffing their PFDs and spray skirts. A raccoon meanwhile undid the buckles on the forward hatch and pulled out a bag of cookies, which he made off with.
Once, when we had hung our food dry bags in a big madrona tree, we could hear raccoons quarreling over the treasure;. In the morning we found a food bag on the ground with the buckle end opened, a hole torn in the bottom end, and food gone--except for Twinkies; even a raccoon won't eat Twinkies.
There was a rumor that someone had killed raccoons on James Island (another state park); the rangers wanted to know who had done this, as they hoped to hire him (or her) to deal with the problem on other islands
But raccoons are nothing compared to spider monkeys in the Belize zoo, who will grab a bag of chips right out of your hands.
I think that this piece of writing is superb in capturing the essence of the experience. I camp in a small abin boat, and the experience is often quite similar when I anchor in the shallows.
Roger Barnes is why I have an ILUR, same rig. Roger and the other Youtubers are why I joined TSCA and the Old Bay Club chapter. I have experienced all (except being "in the mud") he has written of and it IS Even better than noted. Truely magical, humbling and delightful. If you have been up three times during the night - and looked out each time - you happily return to sleep with the visual gift still in your head. So, is there a better way/reason to be a bit tired? After 15+ nights aboard, I think not! Thank you Roger, SCA and all the TSCA Chapters.
Wonderful Roger. After settling in the mud you left out: Shining your lamp out from the tent you see the beady eyes of raccoons all around. Zipping up the tent you desperately hope the little buggers have not yet learned to work zippers...
In the state park campgrounds in Puget Sound, raccoons have learned to work zippers. In one case, on Jones Island, I believe, a deer and a raccoon approached a tent. The deer distracted the people by acting cute, while the coon unzipped the back door and fetched out a bag of food. The two animals then shared the spoils. Truly admirable teamwork.
Another time, I approached a beach where a couple ahead of me were standing with their backs to their tandem kayak while doffing their PFDs and spray skirts. A raccoon meanwhile undid the buckles on the forward hatch and pulled out a bag of cookies, which he made off with.
Once, when we had hung our food dry bags in a big madrona tree, we could hear raccoons quarreling over the treasure;. In the morning we found a food bag on the ground with the buckle end opened, a hole torn in the bottom end, and food gone--except for Twinkies; even a raccoon won't eat Twinkies.
There was a rumor that someone had killed raccoons on James Island (another state park); the rangers wanted to know who had done this, as they hoped to hire him (or her) to deal with the problem on other islands
But raccoons are nothing compared to spider monkeys in the Belize zoo, who will grab a bag of chips right out of your hands.
Roger Barnes is a treasure.
I think that this piece of writing is superb in capturing the essence of the experience. I camp in a small abin boat, and the experience is often quite similar when I anchor in the shallows.
Roger Barnes is why I have an ILUR, same rig. Roger and the other Youtubers are why I joined TSCA and the Old Bay Club chapter. I have experienced all (except being "in the mud") he has written of and it IS Even better than noted. Truely magical, humbling and delightful. If you have been up three times during the night - and looked out each time - you happily return to sleep with the visual gift still in your head. So, is there a better way/reason to be a bit tired? After 15+ nights aboard, I think not! Thank you Roger, SCA and all the TSCA Chapters.
Makes you want to get out there, downright inspirational!
Wonderful Roger. After settling in the mud you left out: Shining your lamp out from the tent you see the beady eyes of raccoons all around. Zipping up the tent you desperately hope the little buggers have not yet learned to work zippers...