A raccoon enters, probably from the field.

The raccoon goes to the den, but finds the entrance buried.

As the raccoon goes to the tire tunnel, it doesn’t use its front left foot. Its tail is also bent, possibly indicating it has been in fights with other raccoons.

The raccoon probably returned over the fence to the field.

While Tailey eats the corn dog on top of the tires, Rocket comes to investigate.

Rocky hunts for the source of the corn dog, hoping to find one.

After Tailey leaves, Rocky and a third raccoon fight over the stick.

Target enters the tire tunnel as daylight fades to black (and white.)

Widey joins Target in the tunnel.

Target takes a position at the tunnel opening

After waiting about five minutes, Target leads way toward the side of the shed, and Widey follows.

Eight minutes later, the raccoons return (Widey with a leaf in its tail) and they groom on top of the tires.

After a couple minutes, Widey descends and stands alert on the ground.

Three minutes later, Target steals the cat dishes in the garage.

Sadly, they grow up and start to fight.  I’ve seen one or possibly two raccoons whom I named “Stu,” for its short stubby tail.  At first I thought it must be a birth defect, but apparently they lose their tails in fights with other raccoons.  In the following videos we see two raccoons coming back to the lair with damaged tails.

The first comes across the fence from the field, with a tail suspiciously bent at a right angle.  The damaged portion of the tail seems to dangle lifelessly.  The raccoon considers entering the den, then returns and enters the tunnel of tires.  From here it disappears, possibly returning to the field.

Another raccoon arrives a half hour later.  The black tip of its tail appears to be nearly detached, dangling helplessly.  The raccoon enters the den multiple times, but appears unable to rest.  As it paces outside, the raccoon keeps shaking, as if to free itself of the damaged tip of its tail.

After staying in the end for over an hour, the raccoon comes back outside.

That evening, a raccoon with a short tail climbs the fence.  It starts to step onto the tree that will take it down to the field, then clumsily turns around on top of the fence like it’s having trouble keeping its balance.  After greeting another racoon, it climbs down the tree into the field.  I’m not sure if this is Stu 1, Stu 2, or Stu 3.

The following afternoon, I found tufts of white and black hair scattered across the lawn, not too far from the raccoon den.

Meanwhile, Target leaves the den.

And goes into a row of tires stacked against the fence.

Target returns the entrance of the tire tunnel . . . and waits.  From this vantage point, Target can watch the windows along the back of our house and for vehicles entering or leaving the garage.  Target is probably waiting for the perfect moment to go check the garage.

Meanwhile, Widey is still in the garage looking for food.

Target watches from the tires while Widey returns to the den.

Target then climbs on top of the tires, perhaps for a better vantage point.

And comes back down again.

Target finally leaves the tires and goes around the side of the shed.

Target enters the garage through the cat door.

And looks for leftovers on the garage stairs, except Widey has probably eaten anything.