Lessons in prejudice from a raccoon!
Raccoons are one species that have adapted well to the imposition of urban environments. They raid garbage cans and slip into homes to eat from the cat’s dish (gasp!). They’re clever, tenacious, unafraid and can carry diseases, especially rabies.
As a nature photographer, I didn’t think I’d ever photograph one. I don’t have a natural affection for raccoons and the ones we see in our parks seem to have a vagrant quality, something dangerous and untrustworthy. They always stare directly at you defiantly, and slink around. Then the other day my son and I met this one:
It was off by itself, completely absorbed in its grooming behavior. It never noticed me, which was odd as they’re rather cautious normally.
It had a couple of bald areas with signs of its skin healing. The light was right and I could get close, so I snapped away.
As I was getting ready to post this, Sharanam posted this little gem:
As our practice deepens, we realize that in us there is a love for everything that is; and it doesn’t matter how big or how small, how ugly or how beautiful, how blissful or painful it may be; at the very core of the human person is an unconditional and unlimited passion and caring for what is. —Reggie Ray
Isn’t all of nature equal? Practicing that!
© Pamir Kiciman 2010
