I saw my first raccoon. It walked right past me. I was sitting on the patio. He was walking briskly and purposely, like a lawyer going to court. He finally turned his head and looked at me. Then he turned around and briskly walked back where he came from.
After that, my stepson-in-law gave me a big lecture about raccoons being a vector for rabies. I knew that. Good heavens! It wasn't like I was sitting out there waiting for a raccoon to stop by. I pointed out that I don't drink out of my raccoon mug because every time I do, I remember they are a vector for rabies.
Yesterday I sat on the patio and watched 4 squirrels fight over the bird feeder (no birds go near it, and it's not like the squirrels have taken it over).
By now, the squirrels are used to me. All I do is sit there and read my Kindle and surreptitiously watch squirrels.
One came over and sat at my feet, about 2" away from me and just stared at me. I started to worry it would jump in my lap. Squirrels bite, so I wasn't happy at that thought. After a minute or two, the squirrel left.
Bugs are starting to interest me. Not the palmetto bugs -- I am at war with them. I saw several bronze beetles. For some reason, beetles end up their backs and struggle to right themselves. I've taken on sliding a leaf under them and helping them get back on their feet.
Last night, I saw something that may have been a huge grasshopper. It was bright leaf green, 3" long, about an inch high, had 6 legs. The hind legs went up in an inverted "V", but one was damaged. I observed the bug for awhile, then asked my son if he ought to kill it since it had trouble moving around (it valiantly tried). But he said no, he wasn't going to kill a grasshopper. I mostly kill palmetto bugs, and didn't want to kill the grasshopper either. In the morning, it was gone.
Palmetto bugs are huge (1.5"-2" long) flying roaches, who like to dive bomb when they land on something. According to WebMD, "These pests can carry several diseases, including salmonella, staphylococcus, and streptococcus." I hated them when I lived in GA a few decades ago, and lo and behold, I still hate them.
Frogs, toads, and lizards (among others) eat roaches. We have plenty of toads and lizards around here, so I've decided not to be squeamish about them. Heck, in regard to roaches, maybe I'm an Honorary Lizard. Well, I don't eat them. I just put heavy objects on top of them (they are hard to kill) and squish them.