Possum in the Chook Pen

[There's a Possum in the chook pen,
And he's making such a fuss
"Tookawk!" scream the chooks.
"Gobble, gobble!" yells the turkey
Flap, flap goes the ducks
"Screech, screech!" went the possum
As it bounded up the gum tree...]

Apologies to Kiersten Jensen, author and Tony Oliver, illustrator of the great children's book, "Possum in the House" but it was all I could think about as this drama unfolded when I went to close the chook house door last night. The possum I startled made the mistake of seeking refuge in the pen and what followed? Well, my little parody paints the picture.

[Kareen King]

Wow! I've never seen a possum above ground! Great capture!

[Tricia O'Donnell]

A beautiful night capture cute possum you are very luck to see one
fav

[Sue Wilde]

This is fabulous

[Mannie]

Many favs on this little night critter. Love the text you used as well. But, Margaret, please tell me...what's a chook?

[Margaret Pengelly]

@mbemis That's what we call hens/chickens.

[Margaret Pengelly]

@kareenking This is a common brushtail possum a native Australian marsupial that is nocturnal and lives in trees only coming to the ground occasionally. They carry their young in a pouch. The last time I saw one it was a pregnant female but this one was a young male.

[Jan]

A favourite book- I can imagine the noise from the chook pen! Great shot of the possum. Did the dog join in the cacophony?

[Susan.T.]

A beautiful shot,these are pretty creatures,we have them around where we live.

[Poppo Livy]

Great story Margaret and a nice shot.
It should be raining at you place now.

[Margaret Pengelly]

@jan11 No only indirectly because I had to keep screaming at her to get her away from the door so the thing could get back out.

[Ilona]

Absolutely gorgeous Margaret instant fav :)

[Margaret Pengelly]

@terryliv Yes Terry started at 7:00pm good steady rain. Sounds great on the roof.

[Lady Magpie (Heather)]

Great lighting and capture.

[Babs]

Great shot and love the story that goes with it. My husband got a possum in his office once and it was in there all night. It peed on the carpet and the stink was awful I believe. He had to change offices for 3 months. The carpet was cleaned three times and it took so long for the smell to go.