Where The Wild Things Are

I've been spending time on the beach just down from the cottage on Hornby Island. I get a huge kick out of the sea and the creatures who live in and near it. The dramatic tides are breathtaking, and beachcombing's provided hours of entertainment.

A few days ago I was seated on a log beside the water, thermos of coffee in hand, when I caught some peripheral movement. I turned and there was this strange, broad, ring-tailed creature.

I used my camera's zoom feature, and captured the following. What the devil was it?

I thought bobcat, but took my question to my knowledgable friend, writer Adrienne Mason   http://www.adriennemason.com/information/bio in Tofino.

Adrienne's married to Bob Hansen, Wildlife-Human Contact Specialist for the Pacific Rim National Park, and she shared the photo with him.

He wrote:

"The overall body shape - heavy around the middle - and the shape of the tail suggest to me that this is blonde phase raccoon.

We don't see them often on our side of the island but I recovered a partial hide and tail from a wolf kill on the West Coast Trail with the same shape and colouration."


A blonde raccoon: what a gift! Here's a close-up, below. Very cool.