Occasionally the sounds outside our window are not as pleasant as the loons. Living by the lake has its ups and downs.This week I was rudely awakened at 5 am by the worst high pitched screams you ever heard. It sounded like little children being hurt, or a woman being attacked. The screams went on and on, and were RIGHT OUTSIDE MY WINDOW! Needless to say I jumped up and looked out to see what was going on. Soon an animal came into view, skulking and looking back at another animal, a small dog that was running away. The animal looked like a fox, but didn't have a pointy nose and wasn't colored right. (Although it was not as dark as the above picture). A little investigation tells me I was one of the ?privileged? few to witness a fisher cat! It is neither a fisher (as in catches fish) or a cat, but that is its name. It is from the weasel family. The fisher cat has the MOST DISTINCTIVE high pitched scream. I am amazed that dog got away, because the fisher has 2" fang and claws that do not retract. It is very mean, sneaky, and fast. It went running on our lawn towards the back of our house to the woods.
My heart was pounding so fast, and I hurried and got our crazy cat into the house. It is pointless to try and convince Schnookums our cat to be an inside cat in the summer, so I guess we will just take our chances with her and the fisher cat. Hopefully this cat won't be back soon. To think, I used to be scared of encountering a skunk in the yard. Now I have to worry about the fisher.
I would much rather go to sleep to the sound of rain on the roof, and get woken up by the loons!
3 comments:
I don't think I would be able to walk in or out of my house at night. I hope your cat makes it.
Wow! That is scary. It looks like it is closely related to the wolverine. You have had quite the wildlife tales lately.
I just saw a fisher cat at the camp this week. Evidently they like living near dumpsters because they prey on racoons and porcupines. I slept (roasted) with all the windows closed because I was afraid he was going to get me. We have been hearing that sound since the first day we moved in and we couldn't figure out what it was. Once I saw the fisher I Googled "fisher cat scream" and sure enough that is the sound we have been hearing all along. I told Mike he is now on dumpster duty. I am terrified.
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