Raccoon

[Grace Scalzo]

From a couple weeks ago at one of our State Parks, late evening. Not often seen during daylight but he seemed ok. While I normally would have gone for a lower angle, as this behavior was out of the norm, I wanted to be sure I could make a hasty retreat if needed. I did remove a piece of phragmite that was floating beside him.

1/1000, f8, ISO800
Canon mk4, 500 f4

[Morkel Erasmus]

super cute shot Grace - love the look and raised tail
as you mentioned and seemed to imply, a lower angle would have worked very nicely indeed

maybe sharpen the face a fraction more?

[Hilary Hann]

Would agree with Morkel here. His mask shows up well in the reflection. TFS

[Steve Canuel]

Nice look at that face. Could be sharpened a touch but as posted has a nice, "soft sharpness" for me.

[Rachel Hollander]

Grace - cute shot. They're becoming more and more of a problem on L.I. so you were wise to be cautious and have an escape route though we don't hear about them attacking, just a significant presence of rabies. I like the straight on look and the tail in the air. I agree with the suggestion of a little more sharpening on the face.

TFS,
Rachel

[Harshad Barve]

Gotta Love this , nice pose here
TFS

[Ken Watkins]

Grace,

Great capture tail angle makes this special, agree with perhaps a bit more sharpening. What's phragmite, do not worry I'll look it up.

[Steve Kaluski]

I like the low position of the Raccoon in the water, especially as if the head was resting on it and certainly a lower POV could have created a unique image, however, I full understand the reasons why you did not pursue this. Having him/her looking at you also adds to the the overall image. Would agree on some selective sharpening around the face, but interesting to see the colour shift from 'as presented' which looks a little cooler, juxtapose to the more warmer version when opened up in PS which offers a bit more detail too. :S3:

TFS
Steve

[Grant Atkinson]

Like it a whole lot Grace, thanks for sharing...
cheers
Grant

[Gen Benjamin]

As you know Grace I love this image. I think that the angle here adds to the expression of the racoon, almost like "you caught me" and all though I am sure a lower angle would be nice I think it might take some from the expression.
Nicely done
Gen

[Grace Scalzo]

Thanks everyone, great suggestions. Our local camera club is having a small show this spring and we are limited to images taken on Long Island. I am going to print this one for that show and appreciate your help with it.