Pics of Opossum in my backyard at 3pm... eating nyjer

[Rob'in'To]

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.


He's not growling at me, just chowing away on the nyjer seed about the ground.


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.

[feathered]

Cute little fellow!

[BIGFRANK]

Way cool thats something Ive wanted to see and photograph. Only ever see them squished.

[Axeman]

Cute little fellow? They always give me the creeps....they can "show" pretty aggressive...wow...he's out in daylight...

[angieinto]

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!  
 

[Rob'in'To]

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!"

[Axeman]

lol...ummm if I were you, I'd be more worried if Angie finds you "cute" too....like the opposum....lol

[angieinto]

I like his little pig nose...the opossum's, not Robs. LOL!   :lol:

[Turtlebird]

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!

[JW Mills]

Nice pics, but not what I'd call cute!

[Reuven_M]

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.

[birdstitcher]

I agree with Reuven M, the first photo is cute. And I too have only ever seen them squished.

Kerri

[angieinto]

He's in the backyard right now having a snack.

[KP]

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.

[Rob'in'To]

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.