When one is outside in the dark waiting to see what measure of wildlife might chance by, especially when one is accustomed to visits from the likes of raccoons and opossums, it is prudent that one carefully check the tree by which one is standing as one waits.  Failing this simple and terribly obvious step, one might unknowingly make oneself the target of the wildlife already in the tree.  An opossum, for instance, tucked away high in the branches and unseen until it tumbles down through the foliage, apparently the quickest way to respond when two raccoons become far too much competition for all the food one tossed out while standing near said tree.

Trust me.  Next time, check the tree.