Outdoor Ontario

Wildlife Reports => Toronto Wildlife => Topic started by: Rob'in'To on February 09, 2011, 04:14:08 PM

Title: Pics of Opossum in my backyard at 3pm... eating nyjer
Post by: Rob'in'To on February 09, 2011, 04:14:08 PM: So, I went out to fill some Finch feeders, got my camera with me as always, since I never know what I might see on my chunk of property here in Toronto... and to my surprise, as I got to the back, I noticed something on the other side of a small snow bank... a 'Possum! Kinda odd I think since it's the afternoon but I guess he's hungry. So I snap a few photos of him, taking a step in after each shot. Next thing I notice is a big ol' Coopers Hawk up in the tree watching him. He wasn't moving, even with me there, so unfortunately I had to frighten them off. I know it's how things go in the wild world, but not feeling like sitting at my kitchen window this afternoon with my lovely coffee and seeing this rare sighting for me to go and get eaten. Sorry Hawk... wait for the Pigeons.

He sees me coming but doesn't concern himself.
(http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk187/lilevl13/op1.jpg)

He's not growling at me, just chowing away on the nyjer seed about the ground.
(http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk187/lilevl13/op7.jpg)

The Opossum did come around a bit later again, eating more seed. He then walked off to his hiding spot (which I think I know now)... but his secret is safe with me.

Normally I see this creature late in the evening, well after sundown, in this same spot. As I said, weird he was out during the day.
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Post by: feathered on February 09, 2011, 04:46:34 PM: Cute little fellow!
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Post by: BIGFRANK on February 09, 2011, 04:47:07 PM: Way cool thats something Ive wanted to see and photograph. Only ever see them squished.
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Post by: Axeman on February 09, 2011, 04:49:01 PM: Cute little fellow? They always give me the creeps....they can "show" pretty aggressive...wow...he's out in daylight...
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Post by: angieinto on February 09, 2011, 04:56:47 PM: I was at work and missed all the fun, geesh. :( Maybe I'll get to see him on the weekend. I think he's cute too!
:P
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Post by: Rob'in'To on February 09, 2011, 05:59:55 PM: Well, it's 6pm and he's back out there in the same spot munching away on seeds. I wonder if there might be two of them? Just a thought. :?

Too bad I can't say "oh yeah, he's here all the time, come on over and get a pic BIGFRANK!"
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Post by: Axeman on February 09, 2011, 06:29:11 PM: lol...ummm if I were you, I'd be more worried if Angie finds you "cute" too....like the opposum....lol
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Post by: angieinto on February 09, 2011, 06:35:19 PM: I like his little pig nose...the opossum's, not Robs. LOL! :lol:
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Post by: Turtlebird on February 10, 2011, 12:26:04 AM: This winter must be very hard on the opposums, so much snow and verrry cold. Hope this little guy doesn't lose his tail to frostbite!
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Post by: JW Mills on February 11, 2011, 11:32:31 PM: Nice pics, but not what I'd call cute!
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Post by: Reuven_M on February 12, 2011, 07:06:30 AM: That first pic looks pretty cute to me...

You're very lucky, I've only seen opposums squashed on the road or for a few seconds in the dark.
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Post by: birdstitcher on February 12, 2011, 05:32:25 PM: I agree with Reuven M, the first photo is cute. And I too have only ever seen them squished.

Kerri
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Post by: angieinto on February 12, 2011, 05:42:19 PM: He's in the backyard right now having a snack. :)
Title: Pics of Opossum in my backyard at 3pm... eating nyger
Post by: KP on February 13, 2011, 01:18:28 AM: Very nice sightings and pictures. I read a very interesting fact about Virginia Opossums. Although Virginia Opossums are nocturnal during the warmer months, in the colder months the Virginia Opossums are active in the day. The reason Virginia Opossums are active during the day in the colder months is because the sun is out and the temperature is warmer than when the sun goes down and is colder. Virginia Opossums that have a range where cold weather is present have this habit.
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Post by: Rob'in'To on February 13, 2011, 07:02:16 AM: Thanks for KP! This would make sense with this one's activity the past week.

Yesterday was pretty funny... get home around 5pm, first thing I do is go out and check the feeders, fill a couple up, and no sooner do I get back inside and shut the door, is the 'Possum out there under the nyjer feeder again for the next hour.

Any idea what kind of Opossums we have in Toronto? I did a light search and everything says Opossum.
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Post by: Bird Brain on February 13, 2011, 07:14:21 AM: Quote from: "Rob'in'To"
Any idea what kind of Opossums we have in Toronto?
Rob ... as per KP's posting, Virginia Opossum. So cute! I love seeing Opossums - usually at night but occasionally during the day! :D

Some interesting reading: http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/FW ... 51071.html (http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/FW/2ColumnSubPage/251071.html)
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Post by: Rob'in'To on February 13, 2011, 09:30:38 AM: Great link! Thanks Jo-Anne. Now I have much of what I need to know. He's not a bother, being way at the back of the yard. And if he wants to clean up spilled bird seed through the winter, by all means. I like him better than the Pigeons.
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Post by: KP on February 13, 2011, 03:40:45 PM: Hi Rob'in To. Your welcome. In Toronto, the Virginia Opossum is present. People just say "Opossum". However, Virginia Opossum is the correct name. Type in Virginia Opossum and you will get a lot more information.
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Post by: Bird Brain on February 13, 2011, 09:32:13 PM: Rob ... No Problem. :) In that link, I pretty much ignored everything from "Human Conflicts With Opossum" onwards. An Opossum visits my mom's backyard pretty much nightly and people out here at Lake A. are always telling me about Opossum sightings (day and night) - one woman said there was a "huge rat" in her backyard one night then proceeded to describe it. I told her it was probably an Opossum and she replied with "we don't have those here". (sigh)

:roll:
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Post by: Rob'in'To on February 14, 2011, 07:25:13 PM: Well, with you and KP's help, the Opossum is now named "Virginia".
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Post by: Rob'in'To on February 14, 2011, 07:27:35 PM: How about this one? Convincing any of yas that she's still not cute?

(http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk187/lilevl13/op8.jpg)
Title: Pics of Opossum in my backyard at 3pm... eating nyger
Post by: KP on February 15, 2011, 08:11:45 PM: Hi Rob'in To. I think Virginia Opossum's are cute.
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Post by: Bird Brain on February 15, 2011, 08:53:28 PM: Quote from: "Rob'in'To"
Well, with you and KP's help, the Opossum is now named "Virginia".
Awww ... that is very sweet. :)
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Post by: Rob'in'To on February 18, 2011, 05:10:19 PM: I know some you are fans of the Opossum. But some aren't. I hate for my neighbour to find him. He's afraid of Raccoons. So I can't imagine his reaction to this guy.