Opossum visitor and article

I did a phone interview not long ago about Opossums seeing as we had one in the backyard quite often through the winter months. The article finally was published and here it is

Our Opossum was noticed some time back in November of 2010. The first time was in the early morning and it was under one of my bird feeders. I was stunned to see it and so excited too! I rarely see Opossums in my travels minus the ones that didn't make it across a road. So yes, seeing a live one was really cool! It was a morning of freezing rain so I didn't stay out too long with the camera. It stayed out there for some time and then probably went off to sleep some place.

February rolls around and it's a Wednesday afternoon, wind chill temperatures in around -30c and looking out to the backyard after I got home from work I see this 'Possum once again. I am stoked! I have a new camera/lens (much thanks to Angie) so off I go out there. Of course I love to just watch these creatures but to get a couple nice pics is great for memories. That's one thing I have to say about me photoing wildlife, yes I love to get nice pics, but looking back at my photos over the years, I can still be taken back to a certain time and place, and have fond memories of a moment away from the world of humans.

My first good look at her once I got outside.

So as I watched this little critter have it's meal of spilled seed I am once again thinking of how fortunate we are to live in an area of Toronto where there is so much wildlife around us if we just stop for a moment in our busy lives. Look at that nose! What a cutie!

They have a long rat-like tail and very sharp teeth which often leave people thinking they are nasty aggressive creatures. In fact they are quite the opposite. Ever hear of the term "playing 'possum"? They can play dead in some situations. But more often they will dart away to safety than fight anything. Here she is eating the nyjer. Yep, lots of teeth in there.

I saw her a number of times over the remaining weeks of winter and usually in the hours of 3pm to 7pm. She must've been quite cold and hungry to come out during the day time since Opossums are nocturnal creatures (night creatures). I was happy Angie got to see her finally after my first few sightings were right after work and Ang wasn't home yet. Look at those eyes! Don't they just melt you? We named her "Virginia". This species is actually called "Virginia Opossum"... how convenient.

I see an Opossum some nights when I come home from work (being on very different hours than back in the winter). I'd like to think it's her. She's been sitting on my driveway a couple times, and once with a Raccoon. It was kinda funny to see them, no fighting, just sitting there together, probably chatting about what's on the menu in the neighbourhood.  But, as my headlights get a fix on her when I am nearing my drive, she darts off into the darkness.  "Good night" is what runs through my mind as I turn into the driveway.