In April of 2018, while driving around the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma, I was fortunate enough to spot a Cinnamon Raccoon. Since that day, I have been keeping an eye out for the raccoon, hoping to capture a better photograph.
On July 2, 2018, I was photographing several Yellow-crowned Night-Herons at Miner’s Cove, a particular area in the wildlife refuge. To my delight, the Cinnamon Raccoon appeared, wading into the water in search of its next meal. It came close several times, providing me with plenty of opportunities to capture a variety of photos. Although it appeared darker, I cannot say for sure whether it was the same raccoon I had seen back in April, as it was wet.
The next day, July 3, 2018, I was back in the same area and spotted the Cinnamon Raccoon once again during the same time period. This time, I was able to get even more photos.
One thing I noticed while examining my photos was that the raccoon appeared to be blind or partially blind in its left eye, as there was a dead spot.
In April of 2020, I photographed another light-colored raccoon in the area (Maybe Related To Cinnamon Raccoon). While I cannot say for certain, it’s possible that this raccoon is related to the Cinnamon Raccoon I had photographed previously.
“Cinnamon Raccoon” is not a distinct species of raccoon, but rather a variation in fur color that is occasionally found in some populations of common raccoons (Procyon lotor). The fur color of these raccoons can vary from a light reddish-brown to a darker cinnamon color, which gives them their name. However, this variation is relatively rare and not commonly seen in most areas where raccoons are found.
Aside from their distinctive coloration, there is no evidence that cinnamon raccoons differ in behavior or ecology from other raccoon populations. Raccoons are omnivorous and opportunistic feeders, feeding on a variety of foods including insects, fruits, nuts, small animals, and human refuse. They are also known for their adaptability and ability to thrive in a wide range of habitats, including urban areas.
To capture the photos, I parked on the side of the tour road at Miner’s Cove, just north of the 4-corners intersection at the refuge. My trusty Canon EOS 7D Mark II camera rested on a beanbag draped over the open window of my pickup, while I used a Canon EF 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II lens. It was a thrilling experience to capture these incredible creatures in their natural habitat, and I feel incredibly lucky to have witnessed them.
Camera Settings
- AV Mode
- Aperture: f8
- ISO: 1000
- Shutter speed: 1/1600
- Focal Length 400Â mm
- -0.3 exposure value