Pests, vermin, trash pandas. There are many names out there for Raccoons, and most of them carry negative sentiment with them. All of these names have always bothered me. All I see is an adaptable, opportunistic animal that has thrived and spread because of this resilience and ability to coexist with us humans. In fact, Raccoons photographed in a wild setting can be quite photogenic and one of the most fun critters to spend time with.

Late one afternoon, I slowly made my way through a quiet swamp looking for these so-called “pests.” As I made my way along, I not only looked on the ground and in the underbrush, but also high up in the trees. Raccoons like to rest during the day, and many times they’ll seek refuge in the treetops. 

I walked along, taking in the beautiful scenery all around me. Moss and lichen blanketed the foliage and tree branches, the sun occasionally peeked through the ceiling of vegetation, and there, comfortably nestled in a cozy nook between some branches was a sleepy Raccoon! This was not some rabid pest raiding the local city dumpster, or the nuisance vermin robbing the dog’s food bowl on the back porch. But rather, this was a wild animal in a pristine, natural landscape. I watched and photographed this beautiful creature for the remainder of the day, thrilled to have had such a special encounter!