Raccoon Cubs

Congratulations! This is the Image of the Week selection for the Wildlife Gallery, week ending 18th May, 2012! I recently spent a considerable amount of time in a hardwood forest photographing a family of red foxes. While in the woods, I discovered a family of raccoons -- a mother and four young cubs. At sunrise, mom would leave the cubs in a large oak tree, and descend to the ground to forage. While mom hunted for food, the cubs would normally either nap or play. On this morning, I got lucky. It was overcast, and these two cubs began playing in the fork of the tree. Actually, they were playing with each other's hands when they struck this pose. After a while, mom signaled the cubs, and they began descending to the ground. On the way down, they made a soft "cooing" sound similar to that of a mourning dove. It was a remarkable experience. Thanks for looking.

D3, 500 mm, f/8@1/40, ISO 2000, Gitzo tripod, Wimberley Head II.

Wonderful image Ron! I love these two bright eyed mischief makers, just like two naughty children and how adorable that they were playing with each other's hands while mother was doing all the hard work. Framed beautifully in the tree and such sweet detail of those faces. Love it!

This is just darling! Love the interaction with the "hands" and the alert expressions. The overcast served you well with this setting.

Terrific eye level image of these little bandits! Thanks for the story behind the image.

Cute...something you don't get to see everyday. Love the framing with the trunk and their position/eye contact. The greens in the BG enhance the image nicely.

What a couple of cuties! Love the look on their faces and the way they are framed by trees! Excellent image.

Hi

What a cool shot – lobe their expressions !!!

A little bit of magic role up in an image

Have a great weekend
Matthew

Great find - nice composition and background. Your time was very well paid off . steve

Super cute image Ron. Such great eye contact with this pair

What a wonderful pose. It's certainly a different view on this species, and those eyes!!

Two bright curious cub raccoons, caught in the simple act of hand holding, create an image that tugs at your emotions. Beautiful image, Ron! Also, technically excellent. Congratulations!

Thanks for the comments everyone, they are greatly appreciated.

Ron, wow absolutely adorable with irresistible poses, great timing not only getting their paws intertwined, but getting that split second with both of them looking up towards you. Tree trunk provides excellent framing for the dynamic duo, super image - congrats!