Mysterious Marauders

We enjoy our back yard so much,  having lunch outside nearly every day, relaxing in the shade and coolness under the shady trees, or sitting by the pond watching the goldfish swish and swirl around the water plants.  Last week in preparation for watering that day, John came inside while I was getting ready for work and told me to go look at the pond. Puzzled I asked if the fish were still alive.  "Just go look at the pond," he responded. When I got out to the pond, I was astonished at the destruction before me.  Nearly every water hyacinth was decimated, chewed and strewn around the pond, the water grass shredded and limp in the water, but the fish were fine.

We considered the cause of this spiteful event.  We have too many squirrels in the area, and they insist on chewing the bark off the tree that provides the main shade in the center of the yard.  John has a live trap that he uses to relocate these destructive animals to rural areas. However, squirrels have never damaged anything other than the tree, but they were the first suspects.  Since the damage was in the pond, raccoons came to mind, but all of the fish were fine, so we dismissed that idea.  At lunch that day, a rabbit popped in through a space at the back gate.  Even though we were talking and very close, the rabbit calmly hopped around nibbling on various plants. Surprised at his boldness, we thought he might be the culprit.  John coaxed and directed the rabbit out of the yard through the spot the unwanted visitor had entered and then he blocked up that entry. We hoped that this was our culprit and the problem was solved.

Several nights later about one in the morning through the open window by our bed, I heard strange noises.  I told John to go look out the back door so when I turned on the light he could see what was out there.  The high-powered backyard light exposed the intruders--four raccoons, three large ones and one super-sized one. They looked curiously at the house, but did not scamper away.  John hollered at them and they ambled over the fence and away.  Agitated but enlightened to the real culprits of our backyard destruction, we turned off the light and went back to bed.  About half an hour later, I heard the noises again.  I jumped out of bed, switched on the back light to see the coons wrestling and tumbling in the grass having a delightful time.  Angrily, I threw open the door and charged out barefooted in my nightgown to make sure they left my yard.  Three full-size raccoons scampered over the fence.  The fourth and largest one paused at the base of the tree by the pond looking up as if to use that escape route, but decided that would take too much effort to climb, so she ambled to the back corner hoping to hide in the bushes.  I was having none of that and kept after her scolding and insisting she leave the yard.

Getting back to sleep proved elusive that night as I breathed deeply to slow down my heart beat and indignation.  I continued to listen for any more indication of the coons' return but heard none. Since that night, the days and nights have been rainy and stormy with no further indication of coons.  I certainly do not want those raccoons to decide our yard is their playground.  The pond still has all of our fish even though the plants no longer provide them cover.  We wait to see if this story is concluded or not.  I certainly hope so!