Perhaps I should have further identified the critter who visited us last week as an opossum,
In reflecting on my encounter, I should not have been so surprised that my visitor made no move to run from me and the flash of my camera. Until a commenter reminded me, I had forgotten that the opossum’s reaction to threats is to feign death.
I also need not have been surprised to locate Alex on the front porch rather than on the back deck where I expected him to be. I rather suspect that Alex is neither stupid nor exceedingly pugnacious. So I do not think that he was willing to risk one of his nine lives in a territorial dispute with that opossum. Should you want to ask Alex about his motivation, may I suggest you contact him on his blog.
The possums around here are extraordinarily laid back little creatures. I don't think Alex is in any danger.
ReplyDeleteWhen we had a frequent possum visitor, the cats didn't play with him, but they didn't run, either.
I forgot about ‘playing possum’ meaning to pretend to be asleep or dead.
ReplyDeletePlaying "possum" in the middle of a highway as they do around here can be hazardous to their health. A cat may have 9 lives; not the opossum.
ReplyDeleteHe is cute though Alex says he smells bad.
I love it when I'm involved in sitting meditation on my back porch in my forested but relatively suburban community by the sea, and a deer quietly steps by, or a raccoon or possum ambles by, or a cardinal swoops in . . .
ReplyDeleteMagical moments . . .
I have not seen any opossums since I have been out here. I wonder if there are any?
ReplyDeleteEwwww....possums wig me out. Probably because they have too many teeth.
ReplyDeleteI think they are both cute critters.
ReplyDeleteyes, indeed, who is the cutest? perhaps i should ask alex that one ...
ReplyDeleteUgh, I hit one of those with my car once...I cried afterwards.
ReplyDeleteAlex is a sharp kitty.
ReplyDeletePossums are cute:)
ReplyDeleteAh, opossum. I learn such a lot from blogging.
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