Skunk

Heading out to pick up my son from Scouts last night I saw a long haired black cat that seemed to be struggling to cross the road in the snow. Then as I approached it was clear that it was a skunk, trying to get away from the lights and noise of the vehicle, trying to get around or through the wire fence around the playground. I was relieved that I didn't hit it, and I pray it will not choose to live under my deck. I am reminded once again that even in urban areas we are surrounded by wildlife. I know Stettler is barely urban, but I stand by my assertion. We and our pets are not the only living things on the planet. I have over my short stay in this town, seen snowshoe hares, merlins, pheasants, quail, muskrats not to mention the house sparrows, warblers, ruby-throated hummingbirds, chickadees, magpies, bohemian waxwings, downy and hairy woodpeckers, nuthatches, trumpeter swans, canada geese, mallards all within the town limits. I know that there was at least one badger in town.
I suppose I shall get my winter supply of sunflower seeds out soon. The early snow still covers the ground. I still haven't got my carrots out of the garden. I did get the onions out. The ground isn't frozen, but digging in the wet, cold snow for a few small carrots seems to be misplaced energy. A friend says that they will make good compost in the spring.