Nancy Padgett noticed her cat, Oscar, watching something very intently through the window. This is what Oscar was looking at - two baby Skunks hurrying along.
The two young ones traveled up the road and then disappeared.
Thanks to Nancy for allowing me to share her photo with you today.
Dennis Latona recently visited the Fort Bragg area and sent in several photos from his visit. The first is Peanut Face, a Western Gray Squirrel.
And here are a couple of masked bandits - Raccoons - out looking for trouble or, more likely, food.
And finally a Striped Skunk drinking from a water dish. If you put out water, you might be amazed at the wildlife that comes to it.
Thanks to Dennis for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see much more of Dennis' nature photography, here's the link to his website: www.pinenutz.com
Craig Tooley and Rita Peck were headed towards the beach when they saw a Striped Skunk digging away in the sand. Craig thought it might be digging a tunnel.
But I think the skunk was digging for its breakfast. Perhaps some tasty sand fleas.
When the skunk came up for air, it noticed Craig and Rita and began to head their way. They hastily reversed directions, as you might imagine.
Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see more of Craig's photos, here is a link to his website: http://ruffimage.com/
In the six years of writing Mendonoma Sightings in the Independent Coast Observer, I've only received one photo of a Western Spotted Skunk, Spilogale gracilis, and it was taken through a window. Until now, that is! John Bower found this little Skunk in a trash bin on the Gualala Ridge. After its close-up, John tipped the bin over so it could get out.
A few old-timers erroneously call this Skunk a Civet Cat. It does move like a cat and is about the size of a house cat but it is indeed a Skunk. If it starts stomping its front paws, back away - fast! It can spray just as well as its bigger brother, the Striped Skunk.
In the winter they eat rodents, adding vegetation and insects to their diet in the summer. Fruit and berries in the autumn are also eaten by this Skunk. Thanks to John Bower for allowing me to share his photo with you here!