For the past 4 summers I’ve had the same family drop by for some extended visits. This family is quite cute, very furry and absolutely adores my cherry tree. In actuality…they’re not really visiting me…and they don’t come to the front door either. They stroll in very casually through a fence opening in the backyard…and then they proceed to climb up my huge cherry tree…and begin feasting upon the ripe cherries sprinkled throughout the tree branches.

My raccoon family usually visits several times a year…and they usually stay for an hour or two each visit. I enjoy their visits so much that I usually pull up a chair to the closest window and stay a while. This year was a real treat when I realized mom had given birth! She had this lil’ ole’ thing trailing very close behind her…and I’m talking cute…cute…cute…with a capitol C.

Now the baby was still a bit clumsy…and slipped numerous times in his pursuit of the perfect cherry. And of course...mom was right there to catch him if he slipped. All of the raccoons were amazing acrobats and never shied away from the tallest and skimpiest of branches.

At one point…there were 3 raccoons positioned close to the very top of 3 different branches…and these branches were pointing towards the sky. They had 3 of their paws wrapped around the branch like it was a fireman’s pole…while the 4th paw attempted to swipe at a huge cherry. Of course…all the best and biggest cherries were at the very top of the tree.

Now...there were a few mishaps and close calls…but the raccoons always seemed to stay out of harms way. And during their dinner at some point…they would even stop and pose for one or two pictures (not by choice of course) when they discovered me quietly watching them.

When their picnic was over...they slowly descended from the tree…and walked single file back home...with dad leading the way...and mom bringing up the rear.

I’ve always enjoyed their visits so much…and I hope they continue to visit me again and again in the years to come.