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Caught in the Act


Caught in the Act
Photo Information
Copyright: Francine Malo (NinaM) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 801 W: 3 N: 2100] (6596)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-07-30
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Olympus E-510, 40-150mm 4-5.6
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/50 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2009-07-30 5:51
Viewed: 533
Points: 40
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Everyone knows that racoons are little rascals. And this is true.

I went to the beach early this morning to have a nice swim before working the whole day, a long day ahead of me. When we left, we had something to drop in the garbage can and Love was surprised to fin that little rascal at the bottom of the can, amidst detritus and garbage of all kinds. It must have fallen during the night while "stealing" its daily food. I am sure that during the night, it climbed on the garbage can next to this one and opened the lid with its small and agile hands. When it looked down inside of the can, it must have fallen. Then the rascal snacked but couldn't climb back as the sides of the can are too slippery. That's when we found this little animal.

Before rescuing it, I had to take some pictures, you can imagine. This one is the most candid of the lot and we can read so much in its eyes: anger (it was making noises at me) and yet despair???? Who knows. Anyway, I pulled the garbage can on the ground and it started running, its round belly jumping around its waist like jell'o.

As I had to be fast to get a nice picture, I still had enough time to do so. As it was in the black garbage can, I chose the white balance as cloudy to have a better replication of the colours around the racoon and pushed the ISO in order to compensate for the lack of light in the can. I resized it for TN and cleaned the noise in Neat Image. That's it, no cropping, no nothing, as is. This little animal is too cute. It seems to be a young racoon, fresh from spring.

A lot has been written on TN about racoons so I leave it to you to find information about it or you already know about it. The only thing, this little one was caught in the morning and they are nocturnal animals. I am sure it fled quickly back to its den or wherever it sleeps!

I wanted to take pictures of it fleeing but I forgot to take the cap off the lens and it fleed so quick, I wasn't able to do so!

I hope you enjoy my picture of the day. It's the second time this year that I go swimming in the sunshine on an early morning. Everything is wet because of the night rain but the water of the lake was fresh and so sweet.

Have a good day, I gotta get back to work and will try to reply your nice comments on my previous pictures during the day. Bye bye!

Francine
shree, roges, PeterZ, Luis52, maurydv, MMM, nglen, jaycee, goldyrs, mporterf, Noisette, weeksy, albert, Jamesp, jignasi, pierrefonds, buscape, bobair has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To jpdenk: Oh la laNinaM 2 08-01 06:39
To mporterf: Good work!NinaM 1 07-31 14:42
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Francine,

Lovely capture of this little racoon. Very nice and sharp image.

TFS,
Kedar

  • Great 
  • shree Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 46 W: 13 N: 67] (262)
  • [2009-07-30 6:42]

A very well-written note with nicely captured expressions on your model's face, Francine! Your focus on its face is perfect and it stands out amidst blurred things. TFS!

  • Great 
  • roges Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 614 W: 0 N: 557] (3214)
  • [2009-07-30 7:00]

Hi Francine,
A splendid catch.
Interesting concept of achievement.
Have a beautiful day,
Adrian

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2405 W: 94 N: 5564] (17694)
  • [2009-07-30 8:46]

Hello Francine,
Wonderful photo of this Rancoon in its 'natural' habitat. Excellent sharp details and an amazing eye-contact. Beautiful natural colours.
Regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1110 W: 5 N: 3457] (12761)
  • [2009-07-30 10:09]

Hola Francine.
Lovely rascal face. Looks like he is telling You "I didnt do anything bad"
Really like this photo and note. Hope you have a nice time swimming.
Luis52.

Ciao Francine,
une très belle prise de Raton laveur commun, bonne netteté et très belle luminosité dans les yeux foncés, bon point de vue.
Merci et félicitations
Bonne soirée
Amicalement
Maurizio

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 922 W: 0 N: 1986] (8917)
  • [2009-07-30 12:34]

Salut Francine
Et bien le timing etait parfait ,il a l'air surpris.L'image est parfaitement en focus avec d'excellent detail de la fourrure.
Merci Michel

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2921 W: 34 N: 8658] (32266)
  • [2009-07-30 12:39]

Hi Francine . The eyes say it all in this picture. Its as if its saying please help me. You were able to get a fine close up with sharp focusing andnatural colours. Love the notes as always from you.
Well done TFS.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1978 W: 6 N: 5527] (19673)
  • [2009-07-30 14:42]

Salut Francine,une photo differente et tres sympa pour la galerie de TN.Tu as eu de la chance dans la trouver une situation comme ca...et une excellente photographe pour la capturer si bien.Curieuse et un peu funny..ehehe...mes compliments et bonne journee',LUCIANO

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2009-07-30 16:32]

Hi Francine,

I love it!! This is taking "in his natural environment" to the extreme. It's probably a Racoon's favorite spot. The eyes are marvelous - I have to feel sorry for him for being stuck in the can. Your picture shows just how adorable he is with the wonderful colors, textures and details.

Jane

Hello Francine,

An interesting note, and an excellent image of the Raccoon, your technique worked really nicely.

They're the reason that I can't put my garbage cans outside, have to keep them in the garage or else I'll have garbage strewn all over the yard.

And be VERY careful around Raccoons, they are often carriers of a horrible, potentially deadly parasitic roundworm (Baylisascaris) that humans can get from contact with them or their droppings. In humans, the worms end up in the eyes and brain!

John

Francine,

Raccoons are really cool (when they aren't making a mess). This is a wonderful shot of your little mischief-maker.

I made some slight adjustments and posted it as a workshop. Let me know what you think.

TFS,
MP

bonjour Francine
Quelle interressante rencontre avec ce raton-laveur, il a un regard très expressif
beaux details sur son pelage et superb luminosité sur son visage
J'adore beaucoup ton histoire
Passe un bon WE
Jacqueline

An awesome shot of this raccoon and as usual, a great narrative, Francine.
Thanks so much for your kind words and wishes!
Kind regards,
Goldy

Bonjour Francine,
Superbe capture de cette belle expression,image bien en focus, dommage pour l'environnement pas très nature !
Bien cordialement
Albert

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1351 W: 0 N: 5494] (16524)
  • [2009-08-07 14:13]

Hi Francine

A superb pose and capture. Great detail and eye contact.

James

Hola Francine,
muchos dias ya sin visitarte, pero vi tu comentario y entré en tu galería.
Simpática tu toma y la explicación y oportunidad en la captura. En España no tenemos mapaches, aunque la verdad es que cada dia quedan menos animales salvajes !

Un abrazo y hasta pronto: Josep Ignasi.

Bonjour Francine,

Le sujet est bien cadré. la p;rise de vue rapprochée permet de voir les détails et les couleurs du raton laveur qui a été pris sur le fait. Il semble te supplier. La lumière environnante rehausse les couleurs de l'image. Bonne journée.

Pierre

Hello Francine,
lovely capture of this little racoon in action. For some time past we do have them in our neighbourhood too. Weeks ago they attracted the attention of the police in a neighbouring town, because they were mad on candle wax and vandalized graves at the cemetery. After a night observation the police was very surprised at the identification of the non-expected offenders.
Best wishes,
Helmut

Hi Francine,
very nice photo of the raccoon with such nice details and colours very sharply taken.I have seen raccoons when I lived in Toronto doing the same as this one,getting into garbage cans and rooting around for something to eat and making a mess while they did so.Raccoons like many animals are scavengers and garbage to them is fair game ,so it follows it is natural for them to raid garbage cans.The innocent look this raccoon has is priceless and it seems a shame to be so cute while sitting on a heap of garbage.Thanks for sharing an honest photo of the urban wildlife that lives here in Canada.I hope the raccoons can be healthy eating what we throw out as it sure is not all that appealing to me,I guess they are not fussy creatures.

Bob

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