Better yet, Ommegang’s domestic production allowed drinkers a taste of Belgium at a lower cost than the imports – and without the risk of stale, corked, or skunked beer posed by dusty old bottles after their rough transatlantic passage. Brewery Ommegang of Cooperstown, New York has long been one of my favorite breweries. MORE

We got a chance to try out the skunk, and while it was a bit too small for our girl, you can still see how adorable it is! Had it fit properly, the skunk head would have been on her head with her ears popping out of two little holes next to the skunk’s ears. The skunk tail also has wires inside so you can move it into different positions. Beware trick or treaters, Baby the skunk is ready to get you! MORE

Then we got in our kayaks and realized that to get to the marshes we wanted to explore we first had to paddle into the wind and against the incoming tide to head southeast out of the Cape May Canal and into Cape May Harbor before we turned east across the harbor and then north under Ocean Drive and into Skunk Sound. Joining this story a post late? Click here to read part 1. MORE

Those aren’t all though, it talks about barking, indoor marking, how to get out skunk smell, how to protect yourself from a vicious dog, and even how to rescue a drowning dog! The Worst-Case Scenario Pocket Guide: Dogs (Worst-Case Scenario Pocket Guides) is an awesome resource for all dog owners. If you have a dog, you need this book! It’s small enough to keep with you if you wanted, but jam packed with great information. MORE

Ivy and I visited a new hiking trail in hopes of decent birding, but got completely skunked warbler-wise. Wood-Warbler Week has drawn to a close here on 10,000 Birds , yet all around the world the warbler watching remains hot and heavy. Why is it, then, that I had such a tough time finding one this weekend? Luckily, I crossed paths with a Common Yellowthroat in full “witchity-witchity&# later in the weekend! MORE

I see skunks ( Mephitis mephitis ) on a regular basis—usually in the evening—during my walks with Shelbie. There have been reports recently of rabid skunks in this area. When I got nearer, with Shelbie leashed, I saw that it was a mother skunk with three or four babies. I worry not only about her being sprayed (which has happened a couple of times), but about her being bitten. While Shelbie has had a rabies vaccine, it's best not to take a chance. MORE

Erubbermaids “Roughneck” homes create the perfect winter sanctuary for feral cats Opossums, raccoons and skunks. If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to help the furry friends in your backyard, this is it. Feral cats are exposed to cold temperatures, wind and freezing rain in the winter. Erubbermaid “Roughneck” homes offers protection from the elements. MORE

I don’t know much about stink-badgers, except that they are possibly closer to skunks than badgers, but seeing any of the poorly known carnivores of Asia’s forests is always a privilege. I got Sepilok wrong. I’m big enough to admit that. In fact, I suspect a lot of birders do, based on the reading I did before I went to Borneo. To a lot of people its a brief stop between the endemic-fest that is Mt Kinabalu and the river action of Kinabatangan. MORE

The scent of skunk that perfumed one portion of the path at Pelham Bay Park seemed to foretell a skunking for us. Sunday morning dawned clear and cool, perfect weather in which to find some owls. Sunrise found me in a car with Rich Kelly and Seth Ausubel, on our way to Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx where we would be joined by Bob Dieterich and Gene Herskovics for an owl prowl. MORE