We never see raccoons alive around here. After all, they're nocturnal. We've also heard that black bears are making a comeback in our neck of the woods. So, when large droppings started appearing on the roads rather frequently, we grew curious. No, I won't show any pictures (and didn't take any), but there are forums out there that help you make identification in close-up detail. Heaven help us.

These droppings became the talk of the neighborhood, due to their size. Some of the women thought it might be a fox, but I soon learned that no self-respecting fox would eat seeds - and these are loaded with them. According to size estimates, these were very possibly left behind by a black bear. As the community researcher, my quest continued so we could all rest easier.

Finally, on a trip into town, we spotted a deceased raccoon that was of Sasquatch size. No ordinary animal by any means and certainly living up to its Texas roots. We are mostly satisfied that, indeed, a gigantic raccoon could, indeed, produce bear-sized scat (to be professional about it). It and others are probably crossing the road from the woods to the lake. One less thing for us former city folks to worry about.