I love your nature posts. Aboout 2weeks ago, there were two great horned owls in the willow tree next door, outside our bathroom window, at about 4 a.m. Because of all the snow, it was bright outdoors, and it really was a magical moment to see them and hear them calling to each other.
Brenda

Hi Alma -
you make her sounds cute and nice, which is sweet since I bet most folks don't feel that way about her.
I, for one, get very angry when the big wood chuck comes and eats my seeds and scares my cats, and he's kind of cute.
thanks for the sewing break.
barb

I just love it, all animals have to eat, and some times it is not the ones that the food was intended for, but in the long run it all works out. Thanks for the photo. Mary

Great pictures!

We also have possums here in the Netherlands. But I have never seen them so close to home as you have!
She does look very cute....... but that's probably because of your story........

Ack! Let me send you along some friends for her... :-)

I love hearing story of sharing the outdoors with all kinds of animals. We have a creek running in the back of our property. We have lots of animals that live there .. they were there before we were :) We've been in the house 25 years and have a family of racoons that we share our cat food with .. they leave us alone and we leave them alone .. well except for watching them. I know they harm animals, but they really are very sweet and funny to watch.

Yep... possums are cute until they smile! Then they immediately look like something from a horror movie! LOL! Sorry about her babies though...

Alma those are sweet pics of your possum. We have a couple and one we've seen since a baby. The cats do step back and share their food. And the racoons come sometime in the night and make a mess of the water dishes. Between the horses, cats, critters and birds it's always a treasure to watch out my loft window while I stitch.

Speaking of stitching, that is a lovely sneak peek. I hope it's a Market release!

You know, she's kinda cute in her own way.
Miche'le

I'm surprised that possums (?) don't hibernate during the winter. What a sad story. I am a big softy for animals, too.

And you're definitely right about raccoons and their appetites, not to mention their ability to destroy feeders. They're cute, but I'm always glad when they are tucked away for the winter, so I can feed the birds.

Our animal control guy said that possums are a good thing to have in a back yard--they bring no diseases, and they're nature's little cleanup crew. After that I kind of thought of "our" possum as kind of a good-luck charm--icky grin and all! I love the little pink feet--and the fur is really quite nice.

Possums are so ugly, they are cute, lol.
My kids found a dead possum on the road one year and they were pushing it with a stick and heard noises. She had a little of babies in her pouch still alive. We stayed there and directed traffic until the rescue came for them. Luckily we have people who care for orphaned wildlife and they were able to release them when they were old enough.

Debbie

Wow...what great pictures. I don't think I have ever seen a possum in person. I would love to, but I doubt I would ever get too close.

Well, I think she's beautiful!

A few years ago I let my Jack Russell out first thing in the morning - not knowing we had a wild visitor. He's never been afraid of anything, but when that Possum showed him her teeth, he came rushing back and demanded to be let in! I take a look first now before either of the dogs go out; I think they're both grateful for that.

Ohhhh...she is cute. I love possums. Your pictures are great. Thanks for sharing

Your opossum would love you even more if you left out an apple for her. :) They love fruit.

Her grandfather lives near our house! We have an opossum that comes out every night and walks along the back of our house. He is the BIGGEST opossum I have ever seen! I never realized they had those teeth. She is probably very grateful for the food.

Alma,

I am so pleased with your post. Earlier this week I saw one of these in my garden and I had no idea what it was. We only moved here this summer and as European I have never seen this. So I called my husband and tried to explain what it was but now I can show him your photos!! LOL

Karin in Illinois

I think I am one of the few people that like these critters. I hate it when I see them dead on the road. Thanks for the great photos!

Not me...we put out live traps and put them back in the woods. I just can't stand having them live near our home and then under it...no way. But to each their own...lol enjoy her. Dianntha

Oh my! My heart jumped when I saw your guest. When I was 6th grade, our dog had an encounter with an opossum in our back yard. We ended up with a dog with a hole in his side. Ugh! It was rather freaky -- I think he managed to kill the opossum too, but maybe I'm remembering wrong. How sad about your visitor's babies. I see why you feel you owe her. But I still get the creeps -- sorry!

I think I would rather be on the inside looking out as well. Fascinating to watch I bet but those teeth....eeeeeeewwww. sharp looking..Louise

Cute possum. We have several that come up on our porch and eat the cat food. They get along fine with the cats. Sometimes I'll look out there and they will all be eating together. Awhile back we had a mother and two little ones that would come around. They were very cute.

Great story - thanks for sharing. Wonderful pictures.

Glad you told us what it is as we don't get possums here in the UK. I love the second photo from the top, she looks like she has boots on her back feet.

We have possums here in Australia but the ones I've seen look totally different to yours. I don't think she is ugly at all, she has beautiful markings on her face and how wonderful to have her visiting just outside your window.

Oh we have very very cute possums in australia and I am sure they dont have sharp teeth like that.. well at least the one my brother in law cares for dont! they are much smaller the ones we have around here (ring tailed possums) very cute and love rose petals BIG TIME... it is a shame about the babies *sigh* we spend a lot of time at the vet with rescued birdies! the last possum my BIL cared for fit into the palm of your hand.. so very tiny and so precious.. he works volunteer for animal rescue and often has wildlife to care for :O)

take care

Lissa
Australia

That is the most love I have ever heard for an opossum....however, like you, I do like their dainty pink feet :)

She's darling. I love possums. I don't find anything wrong with their tails or cute little teeth, they're adorable. ;-)

You're good people, Alma!

What a great story. Too bad about her babies though.

I'm not a big fan of urban possums, but as long as they leave my cats alone we can all get along.

I take a look first now before either of the dogs go out; I think they're both grateful for that.
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I used to be sooo angry when the squirrels would come and eat the entire load out of the bird feeder or spill it all on the ground. My husband says - Well, you know they have to eat too, and they know its there - true true true. We are all God's creatures.
Have you been to this site: bear.org It will take you to a web cam where a mother bear and three cubs are hibernating - love watching nature sites - last year I watched eagles being hatched.
Am signing in as Annoymous, however I'm lovetostitch (Linda) this thing keeps signing me out, and then prompting me to keep signing up as they dont remember my password - has other had the same problem?

I love you"wintet guest"! no doubt it will be present in some of your patterns,it's so cute! i do trust your taste in that sort of creation.With love.COUSON

I think it's so funny that your son didn't know she was an opossum and thought she was a giant rat! lol!

I like the pic of her navigating the snow with her dainty pink feet. Perhaps the only dainty part of her body.

We have a big dog kennel that lives on the deck by the side door. It's a cozy place for the kitties (they're really cats now) when they want to be outside but also want some shelter from the north wind. I keep a pan of cat food in it. We have a big possum that comes and munches with the cats. One night I reached in to get the pan and the possum was in the kennel. I'm not sure who was more startled. :) If he comes (I'm pretty sure ours is a male - about twice the size of yours) and there's no food, he waits patiently while I go get some. Pep just shakes his head at me.

Beautiful!

How very cute your 'old friend' is. WOW in all that snow....how fabulous that must be ! While you watch your friend making it's way through all that snow I kept watch over a nest of Willy Wagtail babies in the sun and heat here in Australia ! ( picture shown on our web site blog page )
Terri
www.cmichaelcottage.com.au

You know that saying- a face only a mother could love! She is kind of cute in an ugly kind of way... I think this proves that God has a great sense of humor!

Those are some great photo shots of the "thing" LOL Guess he got fed. He was hungry. Enjoy your blog very much.

We are getting many of these in Ontario (southern part) that is so very cool!! this morning I walked my girl and we heard robins and cardinals..is it a sign of spring?? not quite but still it was lovely thanks for sharing

Hi Alma, what awesome pics and thanks for such a great storey for those of us who haven't seen any of your animal posts - love the possom. I've never seen one before up here in CANADA...your cats are sweet to let her eat beside them..thanks for sharing
Valerie
http://www.pastimesonline.ca/vals-quilting/

Wow I would be overjoyed to have a visit from a little creature like that (not much chance here I'm afraid)...
Karen

it's lovely!!!!!

You're great Alma for feeding her!

Love that you have a soft spot for "Gracie". (O)Possums have a hard life. I see so many of them destroyed by cars--------makes me cry! They are God's creatures and beautiful in their own way.

Alma, That is amazing, I have never see one of these in nature! I saw mustangs today in my field area, but this picture is a wonder! come and visit my blog sometime if you have time. Hope it makes you feel good! Em

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