Peeking, Lolling Raccoon
Just before sunset yesterday, someone was peeking out of the main raccoon den in the Riverside Park retaining wall.
First a nose.
Then an ear and an eye.
and finally most of the masked face.
As we watched, that someone started lolling about in the entrance.Look at that hand, er, I mean paw.
Here is the track of a raccoon in the mud of the ravine in Central Park.
Hmm. Reminds me of the 32,000 year old handprints in the Cave of Chauvet.
But back to the lolling peeker.
Interesting to note that there appears to be no tag on the raccoon’s ear, which means it was not vaccinated during the rabies epidemic of 2010. It may not yet have been born.
We headed down to the river to catch the afterglow of the sunset.
A father and daughter gazed across the river.
Some cherry trees are in bloom, while others remain bare.
We checked back at the den after dark, before leaving the park. Someone was still peeking.
Tags: central park racoons, raccons in nyc, raccoon tracks, riverside park raccoons, urban raccoon den
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April 21, 2013 at 5:38 pm
Talk about being in the right spot at the right time! That’s great you caught this raccoon on film. Great pictures! I’ve seen raccoons in Central Park on a few occasions. It still surprises me to find such wildlife in Manhattan!
April 21, 2013 at 10:19 pm
Thank you for visiting and for commenting. As a likeminded soul with your own urban nature blog I’m delighted you’ve discovered Out Walking the Dog. I look forward to exploring NJ Urban Forest!
April 21, 2013 at 11:02 pm
Thank you! Keep up the good work!
April 15, 2013 at 2:30 pm
A young un’ trying to get up the nerve to venture out on his or her
own? Maybe wondering what all those two-legged animals are up
to down there? As well as the four-legged ones? A lovely little photo-essay. And..who’s that distinguished-looking man with the
quizzical expression? I’m sure I’ve seen him before…
April 14, 2013 at 6:29 pm
Loved the story and the photos – you are so lucky you have trees in bloom – mine were covered in ice two days ago – and maple flowers may have to start over – fortunately the apple trees are nowhere near ready. But one of my faves is the image of the magnolia at sunset – a treasure… and that certain someone checking it’s paw – lovely as well.
April 14, 2013 at 6:05 pm
Loved this.
Much love to you and Richard.
April 14, 2013 at 6:04 pm
The more I think about it — the more I suspect this raccoon is a pup. The unsuspecting way it lolled about the entrance to the wall with all the time in the world, reaching its paw up — still testing everything out and no cares.
April 14, 2013 at 5:56 pm
Thanks for sharing, Melissa. Terrifc photo of Richard.