Today’s Solutions: April 16, 2026

During the pandemic, some members of our team ambitiously started home gardens and experimented with virtual dance classes. Others fervently baked sourdough bread and some even adopted new furry friends to keep them company. 

One of our Emissaries also brought some new four-legged friends into her life during lockdown, but not in the way you would expect. 

Meghan took all the money she would otherwise spend on live music, restaurant dining, and movie tickets and invested in night cameras to capture the active wildlife that takes over her mountainous backyard once the sun goes down. 

Tracks and scat are common on the walking trails she frequents every day, but she wondered about what actual animals were leaving these clues behind. With her new cameras, Meghan discovered just who she was sharing her trails with and all the mischief these animals get up to when humans aren’t around. 

Throughout the pandemic, we have been sharing stories about nature’s resurgence in a quieter world. Meghan’s video is certainly another great example. 

Check out the videos below to see the purr-fectly adorable scenes Meghan captured. The first video is from the trail cameras, the second features a cat food-loving raccoon right outside her door!

From playful bobcats to lumbering bears, you’ll be amazed at how active the elusive animal kingdom can be.

Have you picked up a great new pandemic pastime? Share it with us on social media @optimistdaily

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