There's Something Vicious In Our Backyard

We had Santa Ana wind conditions for several nights last week.  The winds finally died and we were able to sleep with our windows open last night.  At about 4:30 this morning I started hearing some loud noises - water splashing, growling and high pitched squealing.  In my more than half asleep state I said to Les, "there's something vicious in our backyard."

I looked out our bedroom windows, but it was too dark to see.  My sleepy brain was trying to process it and I imagined a mountain lion with some innocent prey.  I decided to go downstairs to investigate further.  I'm not sure what I planned to do once I got there, but down I went...

I flipped a switch and the pool was flooded with light.  Much to my surprise, on the top step of our pool were about eight raccoons!  Not nearly as vicious as a mountain lion!

It was not a mama and babies, but a bunch of full grown raccoons.  They quickly fled the premises and I wandered back to my bed, with Les still chuckling about "something vicious in our backyard."