Apple Bandits

One night not too long ago we looked out our bay window and saw six raccoons nibbling on fallen apples under the tree in our yard. Six! A couple were fairly large, their fur all fluffed up from the chilly breeze. The others were smaller, maybe young ones born this past spring. One of the adults spotted us and raised up on its haunches like a prairie dog to study us, a bandit caught in the act of stealing. We, of course, were delighted that they were chowing down on the apples; the more they ate, the fewer we had to clean up before winter. The raccoon seemed to sense this as it settled back down on all fours and continued munching away. Quietly we backed away into the shadows of our home and left them to enjoy their meal.