Yesterday was the opening of deer season with hunters here and there in the woods and shots heard, some close. I hope Quill doesn't get scared off. 
Quill 8:56 pm 11/5/16I think he hangs close with as many trips he makes here in a night. Last night he was in from 8:38 to 8:56 PM, 11:00 to 11:21 PM, and 2:33 to 2:42 AM (all corrected to DST ending at midnight).
I looked for dirt on his fur in the pictures, but he looks different in different lights and I can never tell.
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| Quill near the same time in different lighting | ||
A pine marten came in during daylight and made a nicer picture.
Pine marten maleI looked at earlier pictures of Quill to check for sex and still can't tell.
I just checked downstairs, carefully, at 6:28 PM. He is here already! I quietly got binoculars and watched him from a spot on the carpeted steps near the ceiling. Even so, a slight movement of the binoculars caught his eye. He looked for a few seconds, seemed to dismiss it, and went back to lapping. I'm looking for dirt on his fur. None. I have a good, well-lighted look at his back and face.
I got the camera and tried to take a picture, but he was leaving at 6:46 PM. After he was gone, I checked the bowl--licked clean. After a few minutes I checked the scale. He didn't touch the walnuts. I suspect he'll be back a couple times like last night. I refilled the bowl--6 cups of formula. We'll see if it's gone in the morning and if he eats the walnuts. Can he ingest 12 cups (3 quarts) in a night? So wary.
Thank you for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center