My guess is the skunk broke off the encounter to avoid damaging its reputation. Jerry -----Original Message----- From: bcbirdclub-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:bcbirdclub-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Roger Mayhorn Sent: Monday, August 02, 2010 11:01 PM To: BCBC Listserve Subject: [bcbirdclub] Close Encounter Hi All, This morning Lynda looked out the window and saw this skunk making his way through the dew soaked yard. Of course I had to have a picture so I went for the camera. I lost sight of the skunk during that time, but I knew it was heading in the direction of the large flowerbed in the front yard. For a few moments, when I got outside, I couldn't find it. I was sneaking up the walk when suddenly it popped out from under the snowball (viburnum) bush right in front of me. Its tail went up and it went into defense mode. I took a couple of quick photos as I fled. For a second I thought it was going to chase me, but it watched me go then went across the driveway and into the bushes. Here are a couple of photos. Roger Mayhorn Compton Mt