December - A Month of Raccoons

December is Raccoon month at Country Mouse Studio

I recently received an email from a US Marine who had a request.  

He wanted to know if I'd paint a special Raccoon for him.

Him and his wife had an encounter with one while dating

and now after many years of marriage he wanted

to get her a special gift that would mean

a lot to both of them.

Being a raccoon fan myself how could I resist?

Their little fellow needed to have a top hat, a cane and a pocket watch
so here he is!

I know they can cause a lot of grief by getting into your house and garbage but I also know there are many people who love them so this is their month.

I found this sweet story about a Raccoon rescue named Pumpkin on Instagram
Pumpkin the Raccoon


I have always been fond of Raccoons and they were the first wild animal I drew.  I was so pleased one day to meet a kid who had one as a pet.  I was surprised to find that his fur looked soft but was rough and bristly but all the better to shed water, I guess.

Later, we moved to an area that had Raccoons.  I only heard about it because they'd get into everyone's garbage at night.  No one had a good thing to say about them but I hoped I'd see one.

A few more years passed and we moved into a community by a creek.  Then one night on our deck one peered into the patio door.  Before long we had quite a few of them who would come by and visit.

Otters

I doubt if it's possible to see an otter up close and not fall in love with them. What other wild animal has so much joy in playing.

Nature programs on television always show the ones wrapped up in seaweed lying on their backs cracking oysters on their bellies with a rock. A quick look through Google images will reveal incredible photos,their faces are so expressive.

We lived near a river that had otters but unfortunately, I was never able to catch them at play. I could only find the mudslides they made all along the banks. Anywhere there was a bit of a stream pouring into the river, they would slip down it until they had created quite a well shaped muddy slide. I'd find little footprints and could imagine the fun they'd had but I'm not sure what time of day or night they came so our paths never crossed.

This little fellow I drew seemed to have that curious look on his face that typifies the species.

Funny River Otter & Footprints, Tracks Neck Tie by countrymousestudio

Fun Otterly Adorable Cute Otter Animal BooginHead Pacifier by countrymousestudio

Cute Watercolor Otter Wildlife Animal art T Shirt by countrymousestudio

The Wolf

I grew up in the northern Canadian wilderness and often at night, we heard wolves howling. There is no more thrilling sound if you are home in your warm bed, nor frightening if you are outside by yourself.

We were isolated enough, that Timber Wolves still passed through our farm and I remember one morning hearing my parents excitedly call us kids outside. We stood shivering in our jackets and nightgowns staring at the biggest wolf footprints I'd ever seen. Apparently in the night, a pack of Timber Wolves had passed through our yard, howling just enough for us to know they were there. Then in the morning, my parents rushed out to see the footprints left behind

Although they'd seen many wolf footprints, these were so impressive that they took the old wash tub and placed it over top to preserve them for further inspection by friends and family.

In all the years we lived there, I never heard one story of a wolf pack attacking or even stalking humans and they had plenty of opportunity for roads were not plowed in the winter, so vehicles weren't used and people walked everywhere.
It wouldn't have been unusual to find a lone person walking at night, yet never a report of attack. My own father walked, pulling a sled, the 8 miles to town for groceries and supplies once a week and since it was dark out by 4pm he often came home alone in the dark.

As a result we learned to not fear wolves but it still didn't stop that thrill of excitement whenever we heard them.

Family Pack Strength Quote Wolf Head Animal Art Silver Plated Framed Ornament by countrymousestudio

Birthday Sweetheart Wild Thing Wolf Humor Art Large Greeting Card by countrymousestudio

Pack Leader, Family Pack Strength Wolf Quote Greeting Card by countrymousestudio 

Wolf Head Animal Birthday Custom Invite by countrymousestudio  

World's Best Mom Wolf & Cubs Animal Watercolor Double-Sided Heart Ceramic Christmas Ornament by countrymousestudio

Wolf Howling across Lonely Lake Monogram iPhone 5 Wallets by countrymousestudio
Check out other Name Wallet Cases at zazzle.com

Gray Jay, Whiskey Jack

Having been raised in the north, I heard stories of the Gray Jay, a jay that was so friendly it would steal food off your table. It's also known as the Camp Robber.   Whiskey Jack, it's other name, originates from the Cree word wiiskachaan.

The first time I saw it I was alerted by a soft whistle I hadn't heard before. When I finally found the source of the sound, there was the Gray Jay.

It's hard to describe them. They glide down from the trees so silently you don't know they're coming, they don't shriek like the Blue Jays, they're not agressive or scrappy. They are big, gray, soft, fluffy, friendly, quiet birds that inspire a sense of awe when they stop by to sneak a bit of your food. You are so amazed by their presence, that you don't even mind, in fact you'll gladly hand it over just for another appearance.

Our place is for the birds Fun Bird Quote 2 Inch Square Magnet by countrymousestudio

Watercolor Gray grey Jay Bird Animal Nature Art Perfect Poster by countrymousestudio

Watercolor Grey Gray Jay Bird Nature Art Throw Pillow by countrymousestudio

Original Watercolor Grey, Gray Jay Bird Nature Greeting Card by countrymousestudio

Watercolor Grey, Gray Jay, Whiskey Jack Canada Jay Rectangular Photo Magnet by countrymousestudio

Coyotes

Coyotes are very common in this area. They roam around our neighborhood from dusk to dawn, looking for mice, cats and small dogs. When we hear them calling, they can be just feet from our window.

When I had a job that started at 6am and I had to walk my dog earlier, I saw quite a few. Often, they would be several blocks ahead or behind me so I could get home quickly but one morning, I came around a corner and there was one about 20 feet in front of me with several more bringing up the rear.

My dog is half Pomeranian and I'm sure he looks quite tasty so I grabbed him and cut through my cedar hedges as quick as I could. It was a scary experience that I wouldn't want to repeat.

My favorite coyote, was one I happened upon early one winter morning while he was going through my neighbor's yard. He was probably from that spring's litter, so I'm guessing under a year old but his most striking feature, was absolutely huge feet.

I guess he hadn't grown into them yet, but it was so comical, he looked like a cartoon. I thought about putting those feet on the coyote pups in this image but I'm sure everyone would think I'd made a mistake.

   

Howling Coyote Shirt by countrymousestudio
View other Coyotes T-Shirts

Howling Coyote Coffee Mug by countrymousestudio