30 January 2020
I was surprised today to look out the window and see a Raccoon (Procyon lotor) ambling along the fence.
Surprised, because Racoons are generally nocturnal animals and are seldom active before dark. Today was not even a dull, gloomy day, so why this animal was abroad during daylight hours is a bit of a mystery. Furthermore it had the appearance of a very healthy animal with no signs of sickness or distress. I would expect it to be sleeping away the day in the crotch of a tree or tucked into a hole in an old trunk. In severe winter weather Raccoons become dormant, but winter so far has been anything but severe.
When the weather gets warmer I bring my bird feeders in at night so that marauding Racoons cannot knock them to the ground. This especially occurs if a female with half-grown young happens by.
It was a pleasant enough encounter for Miriam and me, but I suspect that people in the neighbourhood will not be so sanguine about seeing this animal. They are ingenious at opening up garbage cans and are a huge problem if ever they get into your attic.
It will be interesting to see whether this individual puts in an appearance again.
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It's a beautiful animal, however I can imagine they can also cause inconvenience as you say. He or she posed for you nicely!
ReplyDeleteSoooo very cute!
ReplyDeleteHello David,
ReplyDeleteWhat a surprise for you to see this animal so close up. They remind me of our Badger who visit us in the evening and nights during the summer and autumn. They like garbage cans too.
Beautiful photos!
Cool buddy ... It is unfortunate that these animals are seen only in zoos in the Netherlands! I understand that they are not so friendly and break things when they are close to a residential area ...
ReplyDeleteIs that right?
I enjoy them, Ella, but they can be destructive. They are very intelligent too.
DeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteI get there can be mixed feelings. Similar thing with possums in OZ... personally I didn't worry when some came into my roof. After a year they moved on and I had no trouble. Others thought differently... YAM xx
Wow! Har aldrig sett en tvättbjörn och det kommer förmodligen inte att hända heller. De är inte etablerade här i Sverige men det förekommer enstaka djur. Däremot längre söderut i Europa finns växande populationer. Det råder, som alltid, delade meningar om djurens existensberättigande i vår natur. En del(jägarkåren) hävdar att de sprider smitta, jag vet inte.
ReplyDeleteFina bilder hur som helst av ett vackert djur.
I am very happy to coexist with Raccoons, Gunilla.
DeleteHi David,
ReplyDeleteit's a very beautiful animal and you show marvelous pictures of it.
But yes, most people aren't happy to have them around and certainly not in the house. I hope it's not going to demolish things or chase away the birds from your garden.
Best regards, Corrie
Wonderful pics of your beautiful visitor! People here mostly have the garbage cans built into enclosures which the animals can't open to keep the raccoons, foxes and wild pigs at bay. Have a great day and thanks for sharing, Valerie
ReplyDeleteIt looks so cute. In some parts of Australia we get possums who have adapted well to living in cities but can be a nuisance as they consume fruits and veggies from gardens.
ReplyDeleteI think that your experience with possums in many ways replicates our situation with urban raccoons, Sami. We have taken over so much of their habitat, but then we have provided everything they need to survive in the city, and much of their behaviour is not especially agreeable to us. They are superbly adaptable creatures.
DeleteI have twice been to Vancouver and had rather close daytime encounters with raccoons both times.
ReplyDeleteHello, Cute photos of the raccoon. They can be a problem getting into the trash and leaving behind a big mess. We have seen them on our deck eating leftover bird seed.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day and happy weekend!
We leave so much edible stuff in the trash which is really at the heart of the problem.
DeleteCute little guy!
ReplyDeleteThis week someone in our neighborhood posted they'd seen a sick raccoon at a certain site and were asking for help finding a rehab place or someone who could see if they could get it and either put it down or cure it. No one knows what happened. I appreciated your telling me late last year after discovering a raccoon having a night time feast, shimmying up the pole holding the bird feeder. Like you, I'm leaving out in the winter but now will bring in at night when spring hits. That's a great hint. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteAn extremely healthy and well-groomed individual. If you'd told me it was someone's pet that had just returned from poodle-parlour I'd have believed you! We have a problem with urban foxes which now behave completely differently from their rural cousins.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteAn unusual, beautiful, maybe a little naughty guy.;) Great photos.
I would love to see a raccoon - how great to not only see one but be able to take a good picture. I live right next to a park but all we ever see is squirrels.
ReplyDeleteGood morning Jo: Is it Victoria Park that is close to where you live? If you prefer not to answer this publicly, my email is theospreynest@sympatico.ca. If in fact it is Victoria Park I have led a couple of bird walks there and had lunch at the restaurant by the water's edge (The Boathouse?) but it closed at the end of last season.
DeleteHi David,
ReplyDeleteGreat to suddenly see this beautiful animal.
You could take beautiful pictures of it.
Greeting from Patricia.
What a gorgeous-looking creature it is, David, and the photos are superb! I'm sorry to hear that they can be a nuisance as I'm sure it might have an adverse effect on their wellbeing in some quarters. How well are they legally protected?
ReplyDeleteWith my best wishes to you both - - Richard
They are protected by law, Richard, and even if you have a problem animal on your property you are allowed only to have it live-trapped. I suspect, however, that there is little enforcement and if you were to kill a Raccoon on your property there would be no consequences.
DeleteThat surprises me too to see it in broad daylight. We have many raccoons around here and I can hear them in the night and sometimes see them. At our old house they used to raid the cherry tree. I like them even though they're rascals. But I certainly don't want them in my attic.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy them too, Carola, but we did have one in the attic a few years ago, and it was expensive to have it removed and the house sealed against further entry.
DeleteOur yard is visited nightly by raccoons, opossums, skunks, and occasionally armadillos. I've seldom seen any of them during daylight hours. They don't really cause any problems, although the skunks do quite a bit of digging around the yard. All my bird feeders have very effective squirrel baffles on the posts. They work for raccoons as well.
ReplyDeleteHa tenido el suficiente tiempo, para que tú lo fotografies desde la ventana.
ReplyDeleteEs un animal simpático, pero lo mejor es que no entre dentro de tu casa.
...David, your raccoon looks so healthy, the ones around here are so sickly. Thanks for sharing your gorgeous images.
ReplyDeleteDavid, I'm delighted!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful animal and your photos are excellent.
I watched them at the ZOO.
Have a nice weekend for Miriam and for you .
Lucja
He does look like a healthy young guy. Probably from all the sunflower seed snacks he purloins from the bird feeders!
ReplyDeleteNunca vi um ao vivo.
ReplyDeleteMas esse parece que está muito bem com a vida.
Beijinhos de luz.
Megy Maia
ohh what a sweetie:)))Lovely little animal:))Yes you should not have so much food in the trash thats why they come..are you maybe having a strong winter as well??We have all our carbidge here in norway looked in or the trash goes to some holes under earth.so we never have visit of those cute animals only in the woods..I would be very happy to see a one so beautiful like this
ReplyDeleteIt is not only food in the trash, Anita, so many people feed birds that they are attracted by seed, and even when people are responsibly composting their kitchen wastes the raccoons come.
DeleteWe've had so many raccoons. We keep bird seed in the garage, and I learned to close the cat door into it. They are clever.
ReplyDeleteIt's so different in the country. We often see them in the daytime. Same with our barred owls.
Your photos are lovely.
The raton is very friendly and photogenic!
ReplyDeleteHi David - wonderful photos ... I know the damage they can cause ... as I had one over my rooms when I was over in Duncan, Vancouver Island - I wasn't impressed!! Gorgeous to see the photos ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteNo racoons in this area yet. You can keep them walking on your fence.
ReplyDeleteI note that Sami has talked about our possoms. We have one who lives close by, but who has shown no interest in moving into the roof cavity. Consequently I can (and do) enjoy it. And yes, if we take over animal's habitats they will often find a way to adapt.
ReplyDeleteI did enjoy your raccoons though. A small antidote to the fires I can see from the veranda this morning.
Very cute but a pain of they attack the garbage cans!! I would be happy to see one though I must say 😊 Have a good weekend, Diane
ReplyDeleteHi David,
ReplyDeleteCertainly appears strong and healthy and a delightful looking creature even if it had an eye on your bird feeders.
All the best,
John
Such a beautiful creature, considered a pest by many. I have only ever seen one here, not around the neighbourhood though.
ReplyDeleteI hope he comes back because that means nobody hurt him. He's so cute!
ReplyDeleteGros bisous David
Es precioso ese Mapache, incluso tiene cara de buena persona, pero llevas razón, al parecer son criaturas que suelen dar algunos o muchos problemas. Mejor se quede en exterior y poder fotografiar que dentro de casa.
ReplyDeleteUn fuerte abrazo mi gran amigo David.
What a handsome animal, but also a pain in the neck!
ReplyDeleteHi Mr. David,
ReplyDeleteI’m a friend of Miss Hilary. She knows I love raccoons and told me about your post. Great pics. We had a pet raccoon. Her name was Rowdy. She was really smart. We had to safe up the house as she could get into everything. We put a cord around the refrigerator and tied the cupboard doors together. Forgot about closets and she dragged out everyone’s clothing, shoes and then went on to the linen closet. Ugh! She could turn on the water in the bathtub and sink. We took off the hot water handles. Like a cat, she used a litter box. She went out at night and returned in the morning and slept in the top shelf of a closet. She was great fun and we loved her, and she loved us.
Great story Lenny ... I hadn't realised you'd had such close encounters! Pleased also that you enjoyed David's post ... thanks for coming over to David's beautiful bird blog - lots to learn here. Cheers to you both ... Hilary
DeleteThat is quite a story, Lenny. Thanks for dropping by my blog.
DeleteBeautifully photographed! I suspect (although I have no proof) we have raccoons visiting our backyard. Our grass is frequently poked full of holes and dug up. I think whatever is doing the digging (skunk is another possibility) is feeding on grubs. I hope to catch the critter in the act one of these days. Lilly says "hi"!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos. I love his little black mask. My daughter tells me they are highly intelligent and they had no end of trouble with them when they had chicken feed stored in their shed. She still loved them though :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a handsome youngster. We eventually had to block our animal door. Shooing them back outside in the middle of the night is no fun. They weren't stealthy, either. Knocking over empty bowls, sending water all over the floor.
ReplyDeleteA curious looking creature. I hope you and he manage to stay friends.
ReplyDeleteAs long as it doesn't try to take up residence in my house we will remain the best of friends!
DeleteGorgeous photos. By the sound of it they can be a nuisance to some.
ReplyDeleteA great photo opportunity anyway.
ReplyDeleteIl est très joli, et un beau poil d'hiver, une belle rencontre.
ReplyDeleteBonne journée
very nice raccoons Photo!!!
ReplyDeleteHello, David! The raccoon does have a cute look, adorable photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend! PS, thank you for the visit and comment today.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of the raccoon. While you're right, that they're typically nocturnal, it can also be "normal" to see them during the daytime. From the Connecticut DEEP site: "Daytime activity alone is not indicative of a raccoon with rabies; other symptoms also must be obvious." A few years ago, I was seeing a raccoon during the day, for several days in a row. It turned out it was a mother, going out for food for her young.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this. I doubt that young have been born already, but for whatever reason this healthy individual was abroad during daylight hours. And of course I have no way of knowing whether it is a male or a female.
DeleteYes, it's too early for kits. They don't den, hunkering down in trees, and it's way too cold for them now.
DeleteThanks, Jenn. And I am also wondering about "going out for food for the young." As far as I know the young suckle until they are old enough to accompany their mother on foraging expeditions, and food is not taken back to the den - but I will do a little research on this point to be sure. I am happy that this kind of discussion is generated - we all learn from it.
DeleteEl mapache es muy bonito. Por aquí no hay, pero si hay bastantes zorros y meloncillos que se comen las gallinas. Un abrazo.
ReplyDeleteHi David, you are lucky to see them in your yard. Beautiful photos. We have them only in the zoo.
ReplyDeleteVery nice images of the raccoons!!!! Not easy beasts to photograph.... I have tried and had poor success.
ReplyDeletePipeTobacco
You got some good photos! They aren't popular animals but they sure are beautiful. We watched a family walk through our backyard a few years ago...that was neat!
ReplyDeleteOh yes these critters love to raid bird feeders or even feral cat bowls full of food. Great shot of that pretty critter. They are nice looking animals.
ReplyDeleteThey are cute! I had 2 coming into my yard and with my dogs it was dangerous for all concerned so I relocated them to a nice spot with no homes nearby in a great stand of woods.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteHope you are having a wonderful weekend!
Hi David,
ReplyDeleteThis was absolutetely an unexpected and interesting visitor. What a luck that you were able to observe this animal so well. Let's hope racoons don't cause to much trouble in your neighbourhood.
Greetings, Kees
Two beautiful pictures of the raccoon David.
ReplyDeleteI understand that not everyone is happy with the raccoon around the house, but they are beautiful.
We have no cold here this winter either, it is mild for the time of the year.
Greetings Tinie
Such a beautiful animal!
ReplyDeleteRaccoons in my neck of the woods never take a sleep break over winter. They roam constantly and there are a lot of them. In fact, garbage cans were designed specifically to be raccoon open-proof, although some figured it out. At a time when there are so many endangered species, these critters don’t seem to be one of them.
ReplyDeleteIt does well precisely because it can profit from human environments. Modified habitats which exclude so many creatures are utilized freely by raccoons.
DeleteThe raccoon in your photos looks quite photogenic!
ReplyDeleteIt's one thing to contemplate it, another to encounter it. Although considered a shy animal. it is wild and carries disease. So, keeping away from it is the rule.
Gracias David por compartilo. Aunque sea en fotos, nunca vi uno tan cerca. Intensa mirada tiene. Es precioso.
ReplyDeleteTe deseo un buen domingo.
Un abrazo.
Hi David,
ReplyDeleteWhat great pictures of a Raccoon ! I hope it will not disturb your neighbors and continue its life in your surrounding. Do you known that we have some of them in my part of France ? Their ancestors were released by US soldiers at the en of 2nd world war ...
I was unaware that they were found in France, Regine.
DeleteFantastic Raccoon images David.
ReplyDeleteHello David
ReplyDeleteas fast as it can go first you see the raccoon on my blog and he runs over the fence with you ... those are the moments that are fun ....
Regards Frank
Precioso ejemplar de mapache que como muchos otros animales salvajes, cada vez encuentran mas atracción hacia buscar comida en los núcleos urbanos, en lugar de hacerlo en su hábitat natural en el bosque.
ReplyDeleteFabulous photographs of the raccoon.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
As someone who doesn't have to put up with them getting in bins and causing having I have to say they are incredibly cute, you got fantastic photos!
ReplyDeleteMake no mistake, Pam, they are very appealing and I am very willing to share my space with them. We have a secure latch on our food waste container (collected for composting by the municipality) and they have thus far not been able to get into it. With a little effort people and raccoons can live together harmoniously.
DeleteCute face but not such cute behavior. That is indeed a surprice to find this animal in your garden David.
ReplyDeleteThe blame lies with sloppy humans as much as it does with the animals, Roos.
DeleteI am super fond of Racoons! This is soo cute! Thanks for the capture!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful animal and your shots are perfect. I'm often amazed at how clean wild animals looks. This one looks like she just left a grooming parlor.
ReplyDeleteI know they can and do cause problems, but they’re so darn cute! We have lots of raccoon stories. In our former life and former house in Oregon, our master bedroom window had a very small balcony ..a great big old raccoon loved to sleep on it...you could see his shadow through the shade sometimes... he would just look at us crossly if we tapped on the window to try to shoo him away.
ReplyDeleteThey really do have an appealing appearance.
DeleteI've heard that Racoons can cause problems, but look how cute and handsome he is. Lovely photo's David! I hope he'll stay away from the carbage bins and your attic ;-).
ReplyDeleteHugs and best regards,
Marianne
Great to hear from you, Marianne. I hope your hand is all better now.
DeleteWe get raccoons in our yard and I don't particularly like their mischief, but they are rather cute. Sometime a whole family will use our yard to travel through. Last year someone visited from Australia and had never seen a raccoon. We happened to have one visiting in our tree and she was enchanted to see it.
ReplyDeleteThere is no question that they are appealing creatures.
DeleteSo cute! They are rascals though.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great looking beast! I will try to provide possums for you during your visit! Incidentally, we may be able to see some snow if we choose to dive for a bit!
ReplyDeleteHope all is well.
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Wow - fabulous shots.
ReplyDeleteLove 'em, they are fabulous.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photo.
ReplyDeleteWhat a handsome critter! If people can be night-owls, I guess an occasional raccoon can be a day-timer :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to see you at 'My Corner of the World' this week!
My Corner of the World
What a cute visitor! Love the photos.
ReplyDeleteWow, what impressive fotos !
ReplyDeleteGreat shots
It is difficult to find a face so cute to be a nuisance. These photos turned out fantastic!
ReplyDeleteIt is so true, Val. It is a gorgeous and entertaining creature.
DeleteQuerido amigo las fotos son preciosas, sin duda el Mapache también. Mi hijo vive en Madrid y hay un lugar cerca del río donde se pueden ver estos animales, las personas los compran porque son muy guapos y cuando crecen y se vuelven gruñones los abandonan, un error muy grande consentir que se puedan tener como mascotas animales salvajes, estoy totalmente en contra. Un fuerte abrazo para los dos.
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots!
ReplyDeleteI remember once looking out the kitchen window at my parent's former place, and seeing a raccoon clinging to a vertical beam, reaching out and tipping the hummingbird feeder so that the juice drained out. It saw me, descended the beam, and started licking up the liquid.
Oh wow ..... see a raccoon during the day and that too along your own fence !!! What a lucky man you are David :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd then a few beautiful pictures of this beautiful animal :-)
Dear greetings,
Helma xo
I have some wonderful raccoon stories, including one about the night we'd tied our boat up at an isolated barrier island on the middle Texas coast and were boarded by one of the critters. It didn't cause any real damage, but it stole the Pepperidge Farm cookies, which irritated me no end. When we told the Texas Parks & Wildlife guys about it, they just laughed, and told us their own story. They'd come back to their living quarters one evening and found a raccoon had taken off the kitchen window screen, climbed in, and was sitting in the middle of the kitchen table with a jar of peanut butter. It had taken off the lid, and was eating the peanut butter by the paws-full. Smart? Oh, my goodness.
ReplyDeleteYou look at that face and can't help but want to know them - until they become regular visitors. LOL
ReplyDelete