Morning "critter" visitors in Columbia

   We all know that the animal population of our suburban community is far greater than most of us are aware.  We have grown use to the deer feeling that Columbia is a great place to live.  Food and water sources are plentiful with our abundant open spaces, lakes and storm ponds.  Yesterday this reality was brought to home for us while we sat eating breakfast in our home.  Our dog's barking led us to check out what seemed to be bothering him.  

Quickly looking up on our deck we noticed first one, then two, then three and finally four young raccoons on 

our deck

These youngsters seemed to be exploring the deck and ground for the first time.  Their initial tentativeness soon was replaced by more surefootedness. 

We knew we had a raccoon in our beech tree for some time but to see that there was now a family was a rude awakening. 

P.S.
   Somehow when I hear the word "critter" it makes me think of Granny on the the old Beverly Hillbillies TV show.