I do not see Raccoons (Procyon lotor) very often at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, so it was quite a treat when I spotted this one on Monday. The raccoon was leisurely making its way across the leaf-covered trail and I was happy to capture this image while it was mid-stride.
At a time when most of us are wearing masks that cover our noses and mouths, this is the second wild creature that I have seen recently with a black eye mask—I previously featured masked Cedar Waxwings in a posting entitled Cedar Waxwings in November.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
For a laugh or two see the “raccoon whisperer” on YouTube
“Mobbed By Raccoons”
Yikes. I just watched “Mobbed by Raccoons” and that is just crazy. I worry about getting too close to wild creatures like raccoons for fear of rabies, but this guy is absolutely fearless as he feeds them hot dogs. Wow.
Yes it is hilarious.
What is worse: ‘mobbed by raccoons’ or ‘people running amuck with COVID-19?’
Yikes–what a choice!
I love the way you’ve captured the particular gait of the raccoon. We always joke that our three-legged cat is half-raccoon because of the way he walks and sits.
The way you’ve caught the stride makes it look more like it’s going somewhere in a concentrated hurry. You are wise to avoid close contact. While I was in practice in Wisconsin I treated many wild animals, but we were strongly advised not to take in skunks and raccoons because of rabies concerns.
Maybe we should be taking a hint from the raccoons and waxwings although they wear their masks a bit differently than we should. Your raccoon appears busy doing raccoon stuff.
Any reminder to wear masks is a good one from my perspective, Steve.
I’m glad you shared this, Mike. We haven’t seen raccoons around here for quite some time. I think decades of construction has reduced their habitat.
He looks nice and healthy – great capture, Mike!
That was exactly my thought, Eliza. I don’t see raccoons very often, but have seen some in the past that looked to be less healthy and I stayed really far away from them.
How fortunate that this raccoon was busy moving along the trail, Mike, as this is a wonderful photo. I, too, like the mid-stride. Masks have taken a new meaning in our culture, as you pointed out, nice to see this handsome masked creature.
You did capture it mid-stride! Good shot!
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