Animals are out in the wind here. In fact, if it's not windy here, we sorts stagger around trying to figure out how to walk "normal"!
Groundhogs are out in the daytime, skunks usually only at night. Some skunks come out in the daytime after hibernation because they're hungry. I often wonder if some of the older skunks are out in the daytime because their vision isn't so good anymore - especially when they seem very much NON-aggressive...and don't seem sick, either.
No prairie dogs here.
Not meaning to get off-topic here, but this IS you're thread, so....
Not too long ago, during winter actually, the weather warmed up enough to where a skunk came out from hibernation looking for food. This is normal, and most skunks will wake up 3-4 times per winter, more if a mild season. Anyway, went out one evening to feed the cat. Didn't take a light with me because, well, why should I? All the "pests" were gone for the winter! So I opened up the door and found this nice little kitty cat came up for a visit. What a beautiful little kitty, I thought. How interesting, as we don't normally get many strays way out here! And my, what beautiful markings. Beautiful black kitty cat with a big stripe right down its back...almost like a skunk. Ah, but it's winter - the skunks are asleep....aren't they? NOT THIS ONE!! I was standing not 3 feet from a hungry skunk in mid-teens temperatures at nighttime, and I'd just come crashing through the door without a care in the world! ...Sure got lucky! But this was an old skunk and apparently did not find us a threat - I think it had been hanging around for the last couple months before winter hit. ...Some day I GOTTA get some better thoughts to keep in memory. This one STINKS!!
