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Attack of the killer possum

There was a strange black figure up ahead in the distance as our Pathfinder was approaching our driveway tonight just past midnight. At first I thought it was a cat, but it had a more pointed looking silhouette. As we drove closer, I realized it was a possum and it ran into the flower bed. Kelly stopped the car and I handed him my camera and asked him to get a picture. The nasty looking critter then ran across the driveway onto our front porch and tried to hide beneath the wooden swing. I was nervous as the headlights put Kelly and the possum in full view. Kelly was crouching down low on the ground and I kept staring, fearing that I might observe an encounter and my husband could somehow get rabies. He was only about two feet away, practically lying on the ground when he snapped this shot. It's pretty sick looking, but I'm glad it only hissed at Kelly.

Comments

that second picture is cool and spooky at the same time!! husbands are great for doing the dirty work, aren't they?!!
Kelly said…
Yes! He said after he took that photo while up close, it scared him when he looked at the camera to seek it baring his teeth like that. It's creepy! Since I have had ZERO interaction with this animal and know very little about their behavior, I was really worried.
Robin said…
Funny you would think to get a picture of it! All I'd want is to get it away from my house. I'm glad that you got the picture you wanted but more glad your husband wasn't attacked. You couldn't get me near that creature. I do have my limits. :)
Hildie said…
That is both hilarious and terrifying!
Kelly said…
I saw another possum (opossum) tonight on the way home, coming down Chestnut Ridge. It wasn't the same one, but was more whitish colored, and larger. I have read about them and found out they are the only marsupials in the US, meaning they carry their babies in a pouch like a kangaroo. They still give me the heebie jeebies, but apparently, they are relatively harmless and like to hiss and show their teeth. I guess that playing possum thing is real, where they can fall over and pretend they are dead, while holding their mouth open. Strange creatures.
Francie said…
I've had one of those possum encounters as well....just about made me jump out of my skin. That is a great shot! I thought it was pretty funny too but still I can't stand anything that hisses at me. :)
Lonna said…
That is really creepy looking! I don't like it. But I think that your husband is so cute to do all the risky camera work just for you to show everyone.

You really have had some interesting creatures in and around your home. I guess it keeps you on your toes, and make life exciting for you and your family.
Lisa said…
Man, you get more wildlife at your place!

We had an opossum at our old house that would torment our dog. He use to perch on the fence and hiss at him (and us.) FREA--KY!
The Roberts said…
That picture is really scary but great photography Kelly!!!! Just not a pet that I would like to have at my house.
Holly said…
Oh my, that is one of the scariest pictures I have ever seen!! Possums are so creapy!! Yuck.

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