Skunks are crepuscular foragers. They come out of their dens around dusk and look for food. They may remain active until the morning hours, and then they make themselves scarce. Over the last couple of years, I have seen them in our backyard when I make my way to the dome to reposition the astrograph or adjust the dome. Light from my headlamp strikes their eyes, and I see the eyeshine. Adjusting the headlamp, I can see their black and white fur. These creatures are generally non-confrontational unless they are threatened, injured or sick (think rabies).
Until today I had never seen one in daylight. Nonetheless, they do come out even at midday if they are pregnant or relocating. This particular skunk was an adult, and it crossed the deck in front of the doors that open to the deck. This is the same path that the possums and foxes take. It walked from the carport to the Brugmansia, and disappeared in the understory of its foliage. I don’t know whether it has a den under the deck; I suppose that is possible. It may have a den around the side of the house where there is a hole at the base of an old Japanese boxwood. I don’t really care provided that it doesn’t spray us or any other critter. The odor can persist for weeks.