We rarely have the pleasure of seeing this opportunistic and cunning hunter unless we happen to be up at dawn. Only then might we see him standing alone at the top of our driveway, always alert and keenly aware of his surroundings.

Small pets, left at the end of a leash, are particularly vulnerable to this highly adaptable hunter.

Cougar sightings are infrequent. When one does appear, it's usually a hungry female with young in tow.

We have a unique networking system in the Village. When a cougar is spotted, neighbours are called who in turn call their neighbours. It's not long before everyone has been alerted and precautions are taken.

This is the one animal for which we have a deep, instinctive respect. They are given a wide berth. Pets and children remain indoors when a cougar is in the area. Small children, dogs or cats have no defenses against a hungry cougar.

Procyon lotor - Raccoon

Raccoons are omnivorous; they feed on grapes, nuts, grubs, crickets, small mammals, birds' eggs, nestlings and koi. I've added 'koi' to the list of raccoon favourites as I have spent six years trying to protect the fish in my outdoor ponds from these clever thieves.

We often see raccoons "washing their food." In reality, the raccoon is actually feeling for matter that he might reject. Wet raccoon paws enhance the sense of touch.

Canis lupus - Wolf

The wolf is a social animal who mates for life and lives in packs of two to 15. The only time we might see a wolf is under cover of night.

My most memorable sighting was when driving home late one night, my car lights caught movement on the roadway ahead. A wolf had been struck by a car.  The rest of the pack had formed a protective circle around their injured friend. Even the approach of my car did not scatter the pack. 

Contrary to what the media write, they kill only to survive. Sadly, the wolf's major predator is man.

Sightings of black bears are common occurrences in the Village. Unfortunately it's simply the bear scavenging for food from garbage bins, bird feeders or garages.  If the winter above the snow line has been particularly hard, spring finds the bears wandering to the lower levels in the search of berries and trash.

Black bears are always alert. They possess a sense of smell more highly developed than other large animals. Their hearing is also exceptional, but they have only average vision.

Unlike many other mammal babies, black bear cubs follow their mother full time after the family has emerged from their winter den. They learn from everything she does including how and where to find food, understanding what is dangerous, and what must be avoided. It is this learning process that teaches each generation of bears to seek their food from the Village.