I had to work at the museum this Sunday so my original shot of the day was going to be this image I thought captured just how I felt about the heavy snow we were getting on the 2nd day of Spring.

As I commuted to the place up north of the city, I spotted movement in a yard and a dark profile. “Skunk” registered in my brain and I drove about another quarter mile before turning the car around. I parked in the adjacent driveway to the home where this little stinker was and carefully approached. It was so inent on foraging for roots or what ever that it completely ignored me. I got as close as I dared, knowing these guys can nail you form a distance. I also know that they only spray if they feel threatened. There was one split second, as I tried to get past the 15’ (4.5m) distance that it did a quick little jump and arch it’s back and tail. I didn’t come closer after all….LOL

This is the American Skunk, Mephitis mephitis. Note the burs in his bushy tail…I wasn’t about to help it get them out.