My mind was busy trying to identify the animal crossing the trail ahead of me on Thursday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, but my reflexes took over and I was able to capture these shots of what turned out to be an opossum (Didelphis virginiana), an animal that I rarely see. When I was doing a little research I learned that Virginia Opossums, also known as North American Opossums, are the only marsupial in the United States—most marsupials, including kangaroos, wallabies, and koalas, are found in Australia and New Guinea.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
That’s a possum, all right. I have a couple of adults that show up at my bird feeders from time to time. I usually see them just before dawn, but when there’s a young one roaming, those seem a little braver, and will linger past sunrise. The little ones are cute as can be. Since they will hunt mice and rats, the seed that falls onto the ground from the feeders hasn’t become a draw for those critters — nature has a way!
Fun! I have never seen a living possum in the wild.
I’ve managed to spot one a few times, but they are definitely not a common sight for me.
Oh wow! A fun sighting and captures.