My Raccoon Adventure

Many people would say that a Raccoon should not be out during the day. That they are nocturnal in nature and only come out at night to forage for food and knock over trash cans in their local habitat. Some people would even say that they are vicious, mean, horrible creatures that can't be trusted as far as you could throw them. Often found to be rabid and ready to attack you just for looking at them.

However, I on the other hand think these animals are magnificent, beautiful, warm and fuzzy creatures of the night.

I often take my camera with me when golfing with my mother in Summerfield, Florida. I have caught images of birds (walking and flying), squirrels, little grey haired ladies golfing, and even on a few occasions an alligator or two. However, on this Saturday afternoon I came across this cute little fuzzy Raccoon outside of the club house smiling away just waiting for me to take his picture.

As I approached the fuzzy little creature all of the older folks done for their day of golf started screaming at me "stay away from him", "he's rabid", "he's vicious and will attack you". My mother even screamed "Patricia Alice, I'm telling you to stay away from that animal. He's going to bite you and might be rabid".

Now, the animal lover that I am I just can't understand why all of these people, even my mother who knows of my love and natural connection with all kinds of wildlife, whether domestic or wild, would be so afraid of this little wonder. His cute little masked face, fuzzy warm fur, and yes-that cute little smile. So of course I listened to none of them and approached the little fellow with my digital camera.

This is the result of that scary few minutes of horror as I approached this rabid, vicious, attacking, but yet so inviting creature of the night.