Common Raccoon Gallery

Raccoons in the Marsh

A common raccoon at the water's edge at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge

Sometimes I Just Love Photography

Mother's Day at Ridgefield started off with a lovely soft rain and then clouds. I got some nice wren and snipe pictures in the early morning but after that I was rather off my game. I missed great shots of both a male and female yellowthroat as well as a sora, birds I don't often get to photograph, because I had the camera set up incorrectly. Then in the early afternoon the clouds broke and it looked like the sun was going to come out and stay out, killing the nice light until late in the day.

Frustrated with myself for the missed opportunities, I walked the Kiwa Trail for the exercise, it had just recently opened after being closed during the winter so it was a good chance to see what was out and about. Which turned out to be not much, so as I got back to the car to finish the remaining half of the auto tour, it seemed like the universe was telling me to cut my losses and go home for some much needed yardwork and much desired hedgehogging.

But as I drove into the little ash forest that runs along Bower Slough, the clouds returned just as I spotted one of my favorite creatures working the shore on the other side of the slough. The raccoon wasn't in a great spot for pictures so I waited for it to move along the bank to a better location, nervously watching for traffic behind me that would likely spook it. Even though many other people were also enjoying the day at Ridgefield, the road stayed mercifully clear long enough not only for the raccoon to step into the green grass, it even stopped to search for prey in the mud with its sensitive hands. It then disappeared into the grass and I never saw it again, just as another car drove past.

Testing the Ice

The second day of the year started off partly sunny but turned blue-sky sunny later in the day. I don't always head to Ridgefield on days like this because it brings out the madding crowds, but it was not only the end of a two week Christmas break where I had spent nearly every day at the refuge, but it had also been cold enough to freeze the shallow lakes and sloughs and I wasn't about to let this rare opportunity pass me by. And while I ended up spending the entire day at the refuge, a look back at my journal shows that I almost didn't stick around past the morning. I started to photograph some river otters that poked up through the ice when suddenly they bolted, screaming across the ice. I couldn't understand why until seconds later a large SUV came blasting past at high speed. Then the traffic really picked up around noon and at one point I noted that not only could I not get off on my own, but that a crowd was surrounding me even when I was photographing nutria! The big lens can certainly draw a crowd, I've gotten used to that, but there are days when it seems to attract a feeding frenzy.

After debating whether to stay or go, I decided to stay both because I had to return to work the next day and because it had been a fun day so far. I nearly regretted my decision by the end of the day, the traffic was so heavy that instead of fighting it I parked at a favorite spot to see if anything would come by. I was alone for a long while until I was joined by a a couple of raccoons down below the bank. I couldn't really see them except for an occasional glimpse of a tail but eventually they decided to test the thinning ice, giving me a chance to photograph them. But other cars coming past saw them too and pulled into the spots before and after me. Based on where the raccoons ended up, I couldn't get a good look from my location, but fortunately the car in front left after a while and I got a picture of one of the raccoons standing still and gently reaching out with a front paw to test the strength of the ice. It didn't like what it discovered as it retreated back towards the shore.

I slowly wound my way past the traffic on my way out of the auto tour and left ready to face the new year, thankful for a wonderful couple of weeks at the refuge, thankful to live near such a wonderful place, thankful for one more opportunity to photograph one of my favorite creatures.

A raccoon tests the strength of the ice at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge

A common raccoon eats with folded hands at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge

A Raccoon's Prayer

Dear Lord,

You are so gracious and kind, please have mercy and grant my prayer, and while you're at it, please grant me forgiveness too. You see, there's this photographer, Boolie, who's fascinated with raccoons. Has been ever since he received Ranger Rick as a child, ever since his grandmother knit him a raccoon rug that hung on his wall as he grew up.

And as you know, Lord, we raccoons are plentiful and abundant, and yet we rarely let him see us. Oh sure, he's surprised us a few times as we raided the raspberries in his backyard, and he really surprised us the first time we realized he had gotten a dog, but mostly we've managed to stay out of sight.

But we are sorry now and realize the error of our ways, and ask that you will allow him to photograph us. Maybe just this once.

Your humble servants, the raccoons.

A common raccoon eats with its mouth open at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge

A Raccoon's Prayer Is Answered

What's that sound? I know it, I know it! That's the sound of 8 frames per second! Oh look everybody, it's Boolie! It's Boolie! Oh thank you Lord, thank you!

Raccoons in the City

A common raccoon sleeps on a carport in Portland, Oregon

Adaptable

Raccoons have adapted so well to the way that modern man has transformed the American landscape that it is estimated that there are more raccoons now than ever before. This one came into our backyard a few years ago to dine on the multitude of raspberries growing near the fence. After eating its fill, it crawled up to nap on a nearby carport.

Common Raccoon Gallery

Raccoons in the Marsh

Raccoons in the City

Raccoons in the Meadow