Mr. Raccoon wants food!

So, I finally got around to uploading some images recently, and this one was taken last fall in a state park. This BIG guy was sitting at an intersection between trails and a road. He'd approach humans and hope for a handout. He saw me snapping photos and walked straight up to me--he got within 3 feet of me before I backed off. This guy showed absolutely no fear whatsoever. A Ford pickup pulled up and the occupants started taking pictures--the raccoon walked up and sat there within 5 feet.

Shot taken with a Canon 28-70L

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/51106637@N05/5​459720946/

I found another shot of the same raccoon. Shake, shake, shake!

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/51106637@N05/5​460109362/

Back to the thread...

Cool shot MOkoFOko, but as with you I would not have wished to stay around and let him get closer. Years ago I was near a couple coons and I had my Pentax K1000 with me. I got close and got a shot or two. Then the two of them started fighting each other. I left quickly. I didn't care to get involved. Also, they can be rabid as I imagine you already know.

mathogre wrote in post #11875425
Back to the thread...

Cool shot MOkoFOko, but as with you I would not have wished to stay around and let him get closer. Years ago I was near a couple coons and I had my Pentax K1000 with me. I got close and got a shot or two. Then the two of them started fighting each other. I left quickly. I didn't care to get involved. Also, they can be rabid as I imagine you already know.

Yup, I've actually got raccoons and groundhogs living out back, and sometimes at night in the late summer I wake up to hear sets of screams, growls, and screeches outside. I make it a point to stay far away from wildlife and avoid interaction, but this particular raccoon was VERY tame. I'm quite certain this one had been receiving handouts. It's a shame really--he wasn't even scared of vehicles, which I'm quite certain will eventually be his undoing.

I was going to report the raccoon to the main office, but they were closed So little funding for parks in Michigan translates to poor supervision.

OP,
Very nice shot of a raccoon. Those guys can be a real issue when they are used to humans. They are know to carry rabbies but aside from that, they are also really good at grabbing things from your hands. They can get quite indignant if they do not get what they want. Great shots and you did right by giving some ground as it got closer.

I want a pet racoon! They are so damn cute!

Love the shot. Hes like Oh sh1t. lol

This was his "I'm coming for ya" look, right before he started to stalk me I'll name him "Lantz"

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/51106637@N05/5​459593359/

JoeyBaccala wrote in post #11875489
I want a pet racoon! They are so damn cute!

Love the shot. Hes like Oh sh1t. lol

Bears are cute too.

mathogre wrote in post #11875644
Bears are cute too.

ESPECIALLY Red Panda's when they're jumping. Be forewarned, the level of cute-ness seen may just make you say "awwwwwwwwwwwwwww":
http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=GbHuoluTStg

I'd really, really, really just like to keep this to talking about raccoons, jumping red pandas, and things of unbelievable cuteness.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

MOkoFOko wrote in post #11875618
This was his "I'm coming for ya" look, right before he started to stalk me I'll name him "Lantz"

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/51106637@N05/5​459593359/
SN3G0418-2 by MOkoFOko, on Flickr

Maybe when I get home I can photoshop on a collar with "Lantz" on it so that there will be no doubt.

Aw. So furry and cuddly looking, until it decides to be wild. Like the TF in so many ways.

nice series

MOkoFOko wrote in post #11875618
This was his "I'm coming for ya" look, right before he started to stalk me I'll name him "Lantz"

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/51106637@N05/5​459593359/
SN3G0418-2 by MOkoFOko, on Flickr

Your a funny guy MOkoFOko. BTW I have rabies!

Lantz wrote in post #11879374
Your a funny guy MOkoFOko. BTW I have rabies!

Nothing wrong with a little infusion of humor, especially when your thread is being besieged by people who are arguing

jetcode wrote in post #11879639
The squirrels of Yosemite will put on a fearless show too. You can find them on the Nevada Falls trail after the first drenching. I was in Monterrey one day and shooting the harbor when this seal hops up on a rock lifts one fin and started waving at me. A photo op is a photo op and this one was likely the local rock star in that regard.

There was nothing "prima donna" about this guy. He just wanted a handout. It was kind of sad, really. I've been to the park a half dozen times, and it's the only animal I've come across there that didn't hurriedly scurry away at the first sign of a human.