Hey there, Boulder Peeps! Lensworth here, your friendly neighborhood shutterbug, back with a tale from my own backyard. Are raccoons Backyard Bandits or Buddies? The Joys and Jumbles of Raccoons in Boulder Snapped a couple of heart-melters recently: a mama raccoon and one of her four (at least!) little fluffballs. These masked critters are basically Boulder’s unofficial mascots, waddling through our gardens like they own the place. But let’s chat about the ups and downs of sharing our space with these furry neighbors—because, trust me, it’s a wild ride.
Look at this queen, ruling the backyard like it’s her personal buffet.
First off, the benefits. Raccoons are nature’s little comedians. Watching Mama Raccoon teach her kit to rummage through my compost was like catching a live episode of a wildlife sitcom. They’re clever—borderline genius, honestly. Those dexterous paws? They’ll solve a puzzle faster than I can untangle my camera straps. Plus, they’re eco-warriors in disguise, munching on grubs and pests that’d otherwise munch on your garden. And let’s be real: those bandit masks and button eyes? Pure charm. They’re basically the pandas of the Rockies, bringing a dose of wild magic to our suburban sprawl.
But—oh, there’s a but—raccoons don’t exactly read the homeowner’s manual. These night prowlers treat your trash cans like a five-star buffet, leaving a trail of chaos that’ll have you cursing at 7 a.m. My compost bin? Raided. My bird feeder? Tipped over like it personally offended them. And don’t get me started on the midnight patio parties—those chittering symphonies aren’t exactly lullabies. If you’ve got a soft spot for order (or your sanity), these guys will test you. Plus, there’s the whole “raccoons can carry diseases” thing, so you’ve gotta be smart about keeping your distance…