Before dawn, the yard is not mine, but theirs. A family of skunks wanders through, soft as dream smoke. The papa carries a tail so black it seems to swallow the night whole, a living shadow drifting across the grass. The mama follows, her plume white and luminous, a lantern acting as a beacon for the little ones. Between them, four kits tumble together, traveling not so much in a line as in a shifting, rolling knot. They are fluff and tiny legs, bright snouts sniffing the air, a handful of poofy tails bobbing like dandelions let loose.
They pause at the edge of the garden, and all at once, the kits scatter a little, then reform their fuzzy constellation, a star cluster reorganizing itself under watchful eyes. Papa noses the ground. Mama lingers at the fence. The kits wriggle in their living bundle, then sway forward again, unified by some invisible cord of scent and instinct.
It is still dark, but the air feels awake with their passing, as if they bring a hush of ceremony with them. The cameras watch from the bench, unseen, using night vision so as not to disturb their procession. The world belongs to them for a while, as the sky softens toward morning.
#backyardzoo #roanokeva #skunk
Daily Archives: September 20, 2025
Day 20683b – skunk family returns
Skunk family returns! Mama and 4 or 5 kits Sept 19, 2025 #backyardzoo #roanokeva #skunk
Last night’s visitors came back again this evening, right on time with the setting sun. About 8 o’clock, the white-topped skunk appeared on camera, and this time it was clear she’s the mama. Four, maybe five little ones scuttling along behind her in the grass, each with their own puff of a tail, like tiny parade floats bobbing along.
They stuck close, curious but cautious, a family procession across the back yard.
It never fails to make me smile seeing them pass through. The little fluffy ones especially — stumbling and tumbling, but keeping up. Something about the quiet dignity of mama skunk, guiding her brood along, makes the whole yard feel softer and more alive.
Every night there’s a chance the camera will catch a glimpse of life carrying on out there, small reminders that we share the space. And I’m grateful each time.