When I visited Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge with my friend Steve Creek, I was tickled to take several Raccoon images at the refuge.

Raccoon in a tree at Sequoyah NWR, OklahomaRaccoon in a tree at Sequoyah NWR – Canon R7, f8, 1/1600, ISO 800, +0.3 EV, Canon RF 100-500mm at 500mm, natural light

I don’t get to see Raccoons as often as I would like to in northern Utah; it is really kind of hit or miss with this species. However, at Sequoyah NWR in Oklahoma, I saw them frequently, and that delighted me.

Steve pointed out this Raccoon high in a tree on my first trip with him to the refuge. I loved how the Raccoon was looking straight at us while we used Steve’s pickup as a mobile blind.

Raccoon in a vine-covered tree, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, OklahomaRaccoon in a vine-covered tree – Canon R7, f8, 1/1600, ISO 1600, +0.3 EV, Canon RF 100-500mm at 500mm, natural light

The Raccoon slowly climbed over to the next cottonwood, which was covered with poison ivy vines, and stared at us from the tree. For several minutes, the Raccoon gazed at us before it climbed around the tree trunk and headed towards the ground, where it disappeared from our sight.

Raccoon foraging at Sequoyah NWR, OklahomaRaccoon foraging at Sequoyah NWR – Canon R7, f8, 1/800, ISO 10,000, Canon RF 100-500mm at 500mm, natural light

On another day at the refuge, I was able to take photos of a different Raccoon as it foraged for its breakfast in the shallow water of Miner’s Cove. The light wasn’t great that morning, and the Raccoon was a bit distant, but I thoroughly enjoyed having this furry creature in my viewfinder.

Low light Racoon portrait, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, OklahomaLow light Racoon portrait – Canon R7, f11, 1/800, ISO 400, +1.0 EV, Canon RF 800mm, natural light

I truly wish that I could have a “do-over” with this Raccoon portrait. I would have loved to have better light than I had when this masked bandit was in my viewfinder. Even though the light was cruddy, I loved the look I appeared to be getting from this creature and the fact that it was up close and seemed unafraid. Maybe some other time, I’ll get a do-over portrait of a Raccoon. I sure hope so!

I had great fun with these Raccoons.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Raccoon photos plus facts and information about this species.