The 'Coons are coming . . .

... the coons are coming! ! !  "MOM!  Quick, come here, but don't turn on the light!" .. HAH?  I rushed into the kitchen, and looked out the window at the maple tree where my daughter was pointing.  All I saw was an animal tail.  I got the flashlight and crept out the back door, but saw NOTHING.  I did see, however, Pompom, the barn cat.  Her tail was not as bushy as my daughter thought she'd seen on the tree, so we explored a little further.  I took the flashlight to the garden, and there were two small raccoons dashing under the fence.  AHA!  COONS!  I decided to fake some bravery, so I shone the flashlight the full length of the southside fence.  I saw eyes in a tree ... but as the animal scurried down, I deducted it must be a squirrel.  I commenced to shine the light along the front facing fence line and low and behold!  There were at least five or six coons running along the fence line, looking for food.  Of course, discreet me (read NOT) scared them and they all scurried up my three maple trees alongst the fence line.  WHAT a picture opportunity, but alas, I didn't have my camera with me.