The Garden of Bogturtle

 In the circle, as we drive out from parking, a Mahonia bealii is blooming, seemingly unharmed by our past really cold weather. A flower cluster in every branch of the lanky shrub, and in quite a bit of evergreen shade.  I check the trail cameras almost every day. Only twice, before, have I seen Raccoons, here, out in the day. The other two times, they were out of their minds and rabid. This one just ignored the kitchen leftovers and scraps, that attract so many animals, each night. Very fat, or puffed up,  maybe to fend off the cold. Procyon lotor. Apparently the proper, Scientific name means 'The masked bandit'.