Not missing the missing skunk

Definitely not my best sunset photo. The skies aren't as pretty this time of year, or maybe it is just because it is getting too chilly to sit on the porch and watch the sun going down, waiting for the perfect moment to take a photo.

It was too dark in the coop to get a good pic of the chicks. Milestone: last night, the littlest babies graduated to the roost (about 5' off the ground) before the bigger ones. Mom and 4 chicks had been sleeping in a cat carrier on the floor of the coop. Mom huddled over them all to keep them warm in there. Here, she can only cover one with her wing. It must have been the brazen little ones who decided to make the move, on a cold (40°) night no less, because I think Mama would have preferred to keep them down below.

The big babies, who are almost full grown, are still all crammed in a different crate with their adoptive mom. Big Roo is in there with them. I think he is getting too old to make it up higher on the roost, so he has also adopted the upper crate as his sleeping space.

I am happy that all 8 chicks are alive and well. Mr Skunk has not been seen or smelled recently.