Tales of Seven

'tis the season ... for raccoons

Several years ago, I worked a full summer as a volunteer at a wildlife hospital and as a part of that received training on how to do raccoon foster care. Ever since, I've remained involved with foster program, providing either full time foster care or acting as a babysitter when other caregivers need to go out of town.

The ultimate goal of the program is to raise the orphans until they can be released back into the wild, and it provides a unique and immensely satisfying way to 'give back'! I've just signed up as a babysitter this year and hope to have an animal in my care soon.

• Pictures of Raccoon Home Care
• More Information on the Lindsay Wildlife Museum

As with every post I do on this subject, I'll note that wildlife should never be raised without proper training and supervision. Not only would the Department of Fish and Game toast your *ss (it's *illegal*) but it's too easy to do it incorrectly, to the harm of you and the animals.

(Kits from my first 'two pack')

Vikings at the Chevron Station

Vikings at the Chevron Station

Salmon swimming outside the Quaker Meeting House

A pack of Elvises huffing after the race front runners

Tortilla-filled skies

Drink Specials at 6am

Shopping Cart Relay Races

 

A few of the scenes from the 2008 Bay to Breakers Race - A Classic Bay Area Tradition

   

 

"Oh No You Didn't..."

Crissy Field, San Francisco

Local dog comments on wildlife protection / leash law regulations

Cormorant Finishing School

Out for walk, I came upon a sleek, black, long-necked bird that appeared out of sorts.... one step closer and then another and he made no attempt to get away. Worried he was injured I returned with box in hand, on a mission to get him help.

He quietly focused his eyes on me. “I dare you.”

A pause.

A raising of the towel.

The tackle.

Bird and towel were dumped unceremoniously into the box, in a ball of feathers and terrycloth. A sharp beak punctured the box once, then shot up through the box top at my face. Devil bird.

One hour later I handed my ward over the counter to a wildlife hospital reception clerk. “What was this again?” she asked. “ A seabird?” I suggested. “One moment please.” She reappeared wearing construction goggles and carrying a bright yellow CAUTION sign. “They like to spear bright shiny things like your eyes, “ she explained. (--A pause to consider--)

A few days later, a progress call revealed he was a juvenile cormorant, anemic from a lack of food. His treatment? A full scholarship to the Marin-based Finishing School for Seabirds, where he would learn to hunt in style, sit with excellent posture, and learn which wines paired best with bay fish. Fancy.

Plum Wine and Marmalade

Wednesday's San Francisco Sunset.

French Kiss

Refreshing, sparkling magic... a new favorite drink to be found at Foreign Cinema in San Francisco.

"The French Kiss"

2 of Grey Goose

A kiss of Lillet

And a splash of Billecart - Salmon Brut Reserve

No taste of alcohol, yet not at all sweet, it's absolutely refreshing and goes perfectly with Foreign Cinema's Sunday brunch. Choose a sunny day, sit outside, and sip.

 

San Francisco Evening

Just a sliver of dusk-inspired light shows behind a bank of incoming fog.