SOLVE

[johninny]

for 3 noisy days, the crew kept a baby raccoon isolated up a tree and tried to SOLVE the problem of how to get up the tree to him or get him to come down the tree. Xander's theory was that constant, loud, harassing noise would drive the raccoon from his perch. Tracer thought the quickest and surest way to meet the raccoon face-to-face was to climb the tree, but there were no low branches to start the journey upward and in the end there was also no tree bark left for the first 6 feet off the ground. as my live-in sound-effects manager, he added an interesting and nuanced ''narration'' to Xander's sound blast. Sakima did not have a better approach, so he decided to supervise.

and a detour on the way to the raccoon pursuit:
the first photo is Tracer trying to solve the problem of how to get Xander to chase him in circles through the LR, hall, and kitchen; his growl-howls and other sound effects did not immediately get the intended response:

Tracer: ''I've challenged him to a chase, and he's just standing there with Saki staring at me!''

[centrop67]

I am surprised the tree is still standing.

Radar is lean and muscular, but WOW. That one picture of Tracer sitting and looking up shows off his muscles like he's been at the gym 8 hours a day.

[Dutchringgirl]

what great pictures !!! Poor coon. he picked the wrong tree

[johninny]

Lisa, i usually don't have much sympathy for raccoons, but i thought this baby was in danger of starving. over the period he managed to move from the initial tree to the next one adjacent to the property fence and on the third night made his escape. the pups remained vigilant for another couple days and still race to that spot squealing with anticipation every time i let them out.

Michael, Tracer does have an amazing and stunning body; and it seems like his very short and silky hair shows every ripple of muscle as he moves. but i have to say -- he might as well be at the gym 8 hours a day given how much full bore play, running, and swimming the 3 of them do together around the clock.

one of the earlier photos of Tracer standing on his hind legs behind the tree shows his feet about a foot off the ground [ does not read that well in the photo ]; he would stand there on his hind legs and HOP! i was also amazed to see him WALKING on his hind legs for a couple minutes at a time - turning, backing, going forward, and hopping like he was on a pogo stick. TraceDog had that talent but i did not think any of this crew had such skill [ i know the other 2 do not]. --- the last 2 photos captured him standing up, but he hopped up popping his head out of the shot. he's actually landing in the first and in the air in the 2nd.

[Asha]

Once again your photography and writing tell such a complete story. Thanks for sharing. I showed my young daughters, who are terrified of raccoons after 1-being chased by a rabid coon and 2- having been woken up at 3 am with one under the bed, And they LOVED IT!

[Mobil]

I adore these photos!