When I spotted this raccoon (Procyon lotor) last Tuesday afternoon at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, it was trotting right towards me on one of the trails, seemingly undeterred by my presence. I stepped to the side as far as I could and grabbed a stick for potential protection. The raccoon swerved a little as it passed me, but did turn its head to growl at me.
Folks in a nature forum on Facebook reminded be that there are a number of reasons why raccoons might be out in the daylight like this, including foraging for food for babies, and that I should not assume that the raccoon has a problem, such as rabies. I try to be really careful when I am out in the wild, particularly because I am usually alone, and avoid direct contact with my subjects. It this case, the raccoon seemed to have a really determined look on its face and I was more than happy to move out of its way.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
I enjoy raccoons. They’re unbelievably clever; when people start telling their raccoon stories, there’s no end to it. I was sleeping aboard a boat when one boarded and stole all the Pepperidge Farm cookies. I was not amused.
I have heard all kinds of stories about the resourcefulness of raccoons, but am happy that I have had no such experiences myself. 🙂
Bandit on a mission.
That would have made a good title for this posting and might have attracted more viewers than my less exciting title. 🙂
Ha! I’ve always liked raccoons.
Great shot!
Thanks, Tricia. Photographically speaking, it is a bit tough to time a photo when the subject is moving right towards you, as was the case here.
It proves ‘you never know what you will find out there’ 😂😂. Good shot under duress
There is always something new and different to see, no matter how many times I return to the same old places. 🙂
Nice capture of its posture and its trotting gait. I have not seen a raccoon in years. However, my sons encountered one during the day a couple of years ago but we were reassured that it was probably out gathering food for babies. I am very much not a scientist but I suspect that scavenging from humans probably changes their behaviour away from being mainly nocturnal too, just as it has with foxes.
Thanks, Laura. You raise an interesting question about the effect of humans on animal behavior and I am sure that is the case for raccoons (and foxes) in suburban areas. In this case, the wildlife refuge is in a fairly remote location, so there is less interaction with humans and there are fewer manmade sources in which they can scavenge.
Love the photo and your commentary! Moving out of the critter’s path was a very wise choice as opposed to appearing to challenge his/her right of way…you were on the raccoon’s turf after all! I sent a card to Benjamin last year that had a similar photo of a raccoon and these words imprinted :
Raccoon – The Official Mascot of 2020 :
Always wears a mask.
Compulsively washes hands.
Letters of the alternate spelling of the name, racoon, rearranged spell corona.
Thank-you, Mr. Mike!!
I love the idea, Ellen, of the raccoon as the mascot of 2020. Animals and birds can all be very territorial, particularly if there are young ones around. I have seen smaller birds chase off eagles and other birds of prey when they venture too close, so I try to be sensitive to these creatures who live in the places that I visit.
I would’ve gotten out of the way too, Mike. I’m not keen on meeting raccoons during the daylight hours.
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You and I, Mitzy, are definitely on the same wavelength about raccoons in the daylight hours. As the old saying goes, it is better to be safe than sorry.