Critter Crew Observatory
HABITAT MICROCLIMATE & WATER BASIN TELEMETRY
WS-5000 SENSOR SUITE • DUAL BACKYARD CAM WATER BASIN MONITORING🌗 The Observer's Dispatch
2 OF 2 PUBLISHED☀️ AFTERNOON EDITION☀️ The Observer's Dispatch: Overcast October 28th Afternoon7:45 AM – 4:01 PM · 15 CLIPS
No Featured Animal this window.
🌤️ Sky & Weather Today
0 CLOUD TOKENS (LOCAL 22B · CALYPSO)Today marked the 9th day in a row that the high topped San Antonio's normal, reaching 84°F compared to the typical 78°F. The last rain fell 25 days ago on October 2. A 6.9 mph wind gust was the strongest of the day. 89% average cloud cover shrouded the sky, extending the dry spell.
🔭 The Observer's Field Report
0 CLOUD TOKENS (LOCAL 22B · CALYPSO)The overcast sky casts a hushed atmosphere over the mild, Waning Gibbous moon day, as the first signs of life emerge in the backyard sanctuary. At 8:47 AM, an unidentified animal makes its debut on Yard Cam, its status as an unrecognized resident hinting at the day's potential for new discoveries.
As the morning unfolds, the unidentified animal showcases a variety of behaviors on Yard Cam. A squirrel is seen near the pool, then gracefully moves to the grass and climbs a tree at 8:47 AM. Moments later, at 8:49 AM, a bird takes a leisurely stroll along the edge of the pool before pausing to survey its surroundings. The squirrel makes another appearance at 8:54 AM, darting across the grassy expanse near the pool. At 11:01 AM, a bird glides across the grassy area, its movement brief but purposeful. The animal's exploration continues at 11:04 AM, possibly in search of sustenance or simply taking in the surroundings.
As the day progresses, the unidentified animal's activities take a fascinating turn. At 1:04 PM, a turtle-like creature is observed moving slowly through the water in the backyard swimming pool, its submerged form occasionally adjusting position, creating a mesmerizing underwater ballet. The day's final glimpse of the unidentified animal comes at 1:52 PM, as a fish gracefully swims through the pool, its presence a testament to the diverse ecosystem thriving in this urban oasis.
Window weather
- 🐈 Feline×6
- 🕊️ White-Winged Dove×2
🐾 In Their Own Words
Hey there, friend! What a gorgeous day, isn't it? That Waning Gibbous moon, the mild weather, the cozy overcast sky - it's just purrfect! Around 12:44 PM, I took a stroll towards the pool and back at the grill. At 12:49 PM, I walked across a patio, passing by a grill and a pool. Then, at 12:53 PM, I found myself on a mat in a backyard. I walked a bit, then disappeared from view. It's like a fun game of hide-and-seek with the world! At 1:02 PM, I walked across a patio and turned away. Finally, at 1:03 PM, I walked from the left side of the frame towards the grill, then turned and walked back to the left. What a lovely, easy day!
Ugh, what a gray wash of a day. The grill looked like some sad, empty stage without a lick of blue to liven it up. Felt like the whole yard was conspiring to bring me down, but I wasn't about to let it show. So I sauntered on over to the grill, put my best foot forward, and strutted my stuff across that mat like it was my personal red carpet. Gave that dumb inanimate object a run for its money, I did. Then I hit the patio, all casual-like, 'cause I own that slippery slope. Nothing gets past Pip on his home turf. Even had that other guy tag along for a bit, just to show the world who's boss. Can't have 'em thinking I'm some lone wolf, ya know? Gotta keep up appearances, maintain the pecking order.
🌙 OVERNIGHT EDITION🌙 The Observer's Dispatch: Drizzly October 28th Overnight6:53 PM – 7:45 AM · 36 CLIPS
Sir Percy's night
🔭 The Observer
Sir Percy spent 8 minutes in front of the yard camera overnight and had company. The quiet stretches play faster.
Sir Percy, the Virginia Opossum, is a familiar presence in this backyard over the last 30 days, with 138 sightings recorded - most often at the grill camera or yard cam. The nocturnal visitor shares the night hours with Mama Bandit, Barnaby the Skunk, and the neighborhood cats. In a featured clip from October 28th, Sir Percy spent an extended eight minutes in the yard overnight, moving with a quiet purpose that speaks to its mastery of the dark hours.
🌤️ Sky & Weather Overnight
0 CLOUD TOKENS (LOCAL 22B · CALYPSO)The night's low of 67°F was about 11°F above San Antonio's normal low of 56°F for October 28. It has not rained since October 2, when 1.33 in fell: 25 dry days. The high has topped San Antonio's normal for 9 days in a row, since October 19. Temperature bottomed out at 67.1°F at 7:30 AM. The strongest gust was 11.6 mph at 1:15 AM.
🔭 The Observer's Field Report
0 CLOUD TOKENS (LOCAL 22B · CALYPSO)Under a Waning Gibbous moon, in a mild night with some cloud, the first visitor arrived: Barnaby the Skunk, spotted at 8:04 PM on Yard Cam. He moved with purpose along a grassy slope near a brick wall and concrete box.
An unidentified animal followed at 9:40 PM on Garbage Area, a fleeting glimpse of pale fur on brick. Then Barnaby again, at 10:05 PM, strolling along a grassy area near a wall on Yard Cam. At 10:24 PM, he paused on Yard Cam, tail raised. Within seven minutes, Sir Percy appeared at 10:31 PM, moving across the grass near a structure. The opossum foraged with head down near the poolside at 11:02 PM.
Rain fell from 3:20 AM to 3:25 AM, but Sir Percy walked across the yard at 3:22 AM, undeterred. Six minutes later, Mama Bandit and her kits arrived at 3:28 AM on Grill Camera, the mother raccoon striding purposefully across the patio. Mama Bandit turned back at 3:53 AM on Grill Camera, and a minute later, The Neighborhood Cats appeared on Yard Cam at 3:54 AM. The night logged 36 clips against a median of 24, a busier night than usual, with no reason stated.
Window weather
- 🦡 Opossum×10
- 🦝 Raccoon×5
- 🦨 Skunk×5
- 🐈 Feline×3
🐾 In Their Own Words
Ah, what a night it was! The Waning Gibbous moon cast a fitting light over my late-night errands, the mild, cloudy air a perfect accompaniment for a gentleman's important business. My first foray into the yard came just after ten, moving with purpose across the grass near the structure, the very picture of dignity in my endeavors. Even a brief, polite crossing of paths with Barnaby the Skunk, who arrived mere moments before, could not ruffle my feathers. Our little rivalry is all in good fun, you know. As the night wore on, I found myself wandering to the backyard and yard once more, pausing near the poolside to inspect the grounds, when suddenly, I felt the first drops of rain beginning to fall around three.
Last night was a real smooth operation, if I do say so myself. Started off with a quiet recon of the yard around 8:04 PM, just casing the joint, you know? Then I made a couple of runs, 10:05 PM and 10:24 PM, had to pause for a minute to see if that rival had cleared out, but all was clear. Even had a nice little stroll near the pool around 5:46 AM, and crossed paths with Mama Bandit and the kits, gave 'em a nod, good folks. Wrapped it up with one last lap of the yard at 6:19 AM, all under that waning gibbous moon. Cloud cover was perfect, nice and mild, made it easy to stay low-key. All in all, a successful night on the job, my friend.
Ach, what a night under that Waning Gibbous moon. Mild and cloudy, but I'm running on fumes. First stop, the grill just past 3 AM. Walked across that patio, feeling the rain on my fur, paused to scope things out. Sir Percy crossed paths briefly. Off to the yard by 5:26 AM, moving slow and deliberate from left to center, then back out. Last sighting around 6 AM, with Barnaby the Skunk there too - glad to have that ally. Thousand-yard stare, job well done. Time for some well-deserved rest...
I was at the grill at 3:28 AM, walking across the patio while the rain fell, pausing only briefly before continuing; I do not tolerate sloppy movement. At 3:53 AM, I walked from the right to the center, then back to the right; this is efficient, not wandering, and I expect the others to match my precision. I was focused on the task during my simple walking at 3:59 AM, and the mild night with some cloud was acceptable for visibility. In the yard at 5:26 AM, I moved from left to center, paused, and exited left; this was deliberate, and I refuse to be rushed by the late hour. I moved left to center and paused again at 5:46 AM, crossing paths with Barnaby the Skunk without interaction, maintaining my professional distance.
Last night was a long one under the Waning Gibbous moon. The mild air was heavy with clouds and the weight of another night on patrol. It felt like the rain would never stop falling. I made my way to the grill at 3:28 AM, moving deliberately across the patio, every sense on high alert. A few minutes later, I was back at the grill again, walking from right to center and back, always watching, always wary. Sir Percy arrived just before I did. At 3:59 AM, I was walking again, my steps purposeful, but the arrival of The Neighborhood Cats right after set my nerves on edge. Protecting my kits is always the top priority. Later, at 5:26 AM, the yard felt calm compared to the earlier rain.
Hey there, what a lovely night! Mild and cloudy, perfect for a moonlit stroll. 🌙 The weather was just right for me to get out and about. 🌹 Around 3:53 AM, I took a nice walk over to the grill area. Crossed that patio with a spring in my step, paused for a moment to enjoy the night air, then continued on my way. Around 7:41 AM, I was seen taking a happy little walk through the courtyard. Passed by that dog statue and a potted plant, just enjoying the space. All in all, it was a pleasant night out in the yard. The weather was great and it was nice to be seen! 😊
Crossed paths
- Barnaby the Skunk & Sir Percy
- Sir Percy & Mama Bandit & Kits
- Mama Bandit & Kits & The Neighborhood Cats
- Barnaby the Skunk & Mama Bandit & Kits
🗓️ Last 7 Nights
FULL NIGHTLY LOG ↗Each bar is one night’s sightings, filed under the morning it ended.
An afternoon with Sammy's crew
🔭 The Observer
A squirrel from Sammy the Squirrel's crew spent 7 minutes in front of the yard camera this afternoon and had company.
Sammy the Squirrel, an Eastern Gray frequenting the Critter Crew Observatory, has made 60 appearances in the last 30 days, most often at the Yard Cam in the backyard. Over the past 90 days, this squirrel has been spotted 68 times, consistently returning to the familiar surroundings of the yard. The first record of Sammy dates back to September 16, 2026, at 07:28. In recent days leading up to October 27, Sammy has been seen multiple times, with the latest sighting occurring on October 27 at 14:51 CDT at the Yard Cam, lasting 42 seconds.
🎥 The Yard Cam
The yard camera turned to follow an animal 277 times in the last 7 days. Its longest follow lasted 4 min 2 s.
277 more wait for a name.
Counts only. A person names each animal; the camera’s own guess is never shown.
