I’ve been walking that same path every morning for almost ten years now. It’s part of my early morning routine when I'm in Florida—I get up early, go out on the balcony to check the weather, cross the street and walk for an hour.
In the quiet of the early morning, I am greeted by the sound of the waves and the seabirds waking up with me. Over time, I’ve gotten to know the regulars: the feral cats that dart across the path like they’re late for something, the sunbathing iguanas who seem to never stir, the noisy seagulls arguing over breakfast, the graceful pelicans loitering near the fishing boats, and the ever-curious squirrels begging for food (too many people feed them).
But here’s the funny part—in all those years, I had never seen a raccoon. Not once! Until this morning when a little masked face appeared right in front of me.
We both froze, just staring at each other like, “Wait, you live here?” It was such a small, random moment, but it really startled me because raccoons can be agressive. Ten years of daily walks when I'm in Florida, and the first time seeing a raccoon on this path ( I have seen raccoons in Florida at other parks)
It’s funny how nature still manages to surprise you—even when you think you’ve seen it all. That’s one of the reasons I love these morning walks. There’s always something new waiting along the way, if you just keep showing up.
Hello Judee,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful collection of critters and photos.
I love them all! Florida is a great place for wildlife sightings.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend.
Thank you for hosting- It's lots of fun to share the critters we encounter.
DeleteWe saw a raccoon on a beach somewhere in Florida, and also one in Costa Rica. I’m surprised that this is the first sighting you have had.
ReplyDeleteI just added that I actually have seen raccoons in other parks - just not this one.
DeleteThanks for taking us along on your adventure.
ReplyDeletemy pleasure
DeleteGreat photos. Wonderful animals. The seagulls are making a good pattern! :-D
ReplyDeleteThank you...
DeleteThank you.
DeleteWant a delightful photo essay of your morning walk. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nancy
DeleteThat last photo is amazing...as are all on this pretty walk. Thank you for your prayers my friend. They are much needed and appreciated! Hugs, Diane
ReplyDeleteThanks Diane and keeping you and him in our prayers.
DeleteI love raccoons and they're so cute, but they can also be super aggressive! I'll never forget the time out was out getting pizza, and raccoons came up onto the patio and literally stole an entire pie from another person... Hilarious in hindsight!
ReplyDeleteYes, they can and they can also be dangerous is they are triggered to protect their young.
DeleteAlso I keep forgetting to log my name. It's be above with the pizza raccoon story. 🤦
ReplyDeleteYup- I often do the same. Got ya
DeleteBeautiful pictures!
ReplyDeleteJust today my sister told me her neighbor showed her a video of a raccoon going up the wall of their house. Raccoons are an invasive species here (Germany) and we know they are around, but you hardly ever see them. Guess that's starting to change.
Yes, once they make a home near you, you will be seeing them.
Deletewhat a great walk...great sightings!! the last picture is stunning!! have a great weekend!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Debbie- I do like my daily walk in the beautiful park in Florida.
DeleteGreat nature photos! Unfortunately, we're having bears showing up around here after years of not seeing them so I'm not so excited about bumping into unexpected wildlife...
ReplyDeleteBears terrify me. That would not make me happy
DeleteWhat a delightful place to take a morning walk. I love being by the sea. I spent the first 20 years of my life living in sight of the sea in England, and I have enjoyed visits to Florida, but I live a long way from the ocean and I miss it. He was a very cute raccoon, a little bandit in a mask.
ReplyDeleteYes, we do love living by the sea and it's so beautiful.
DeleteOh my gosh, I love this about walks. Just the finding of something new is very, very fun. Great photos to see as well. There is something wonderful about a quiet morning walk. Peaceful.
ReplyDeleteAs for the Halloween calendar, I never saw them either until this year and then I did digging and found more. Even Barnes is selling some now. There's a Marvel one and a Nightmare Before Christmas one. Toooooo expensive here though (for my blood). But at TJ/TK Maxx, Tim got the deal. We'll look out for a Christmas one.
Wishing you a wonderful and yummy weekend ahead.
TJ Max and Home Goods is my favorite place to shop- great deals. enjoy
Delete🎃
DeleteGreat photos and your conclusion is so true. There is always something new.
ReplyDeletethanks Marie
DeletePretty good company you have in your walks.
ReplyDeleteWith all the people feeding and interacting with them , the feral cats are beginning to be very friendly and domesticated. Some people have even started to take them home and adopt them.
DeleteI didn't know raccoons could be aggressive. Hopefully if you see it again it leaves you alone.
ReplyDeleteTandy (Lavender and Lime) https://tandysinclair.com
You never know- if they are hungry, protecting their young, or rapid, they could be problematic
DeleteAn early morning walk with friends like this is great.
ReplyDeleteI have only seen a raccoon in our zoo..how exciting to encounter one on your daily walk.
ReplyDeleteWe do have a park inland in Florida that is like raccoon city- there are so many of them. They are as common as squirrels.
DeleteGorgeous photographs. What a lovely place to walk. You can really see any daily changes if you walk in the same area all the time.
ReplyDeleteYes, believe it or not in the past 10 years, not much has changed.
DeleteI love coming across animals on my walks. Rarely do we see raccoons though. I did, however, hear scratching at my office sliding door once. I was worried it was a mouse trying to get in. I pulled back the curtain and sitting there was a huge raccoon with eyes frozen in terror. I'm sure mine got as big too because I was not expecting that! I think we scared the daylights out of each other LOL!
ReplyDeleteLovely shots of the morning walkers!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely path to enjoy walking on! I had not given it much thought, but raccoons apparently are common in FL (I googled it) but your not seeing one for 10 years is interesting. I wonder how the population changed...hope your time in Florida is going great!
ReplyDeleteThat is the absolute best kind of surprise. It's amazing how, even with a routine as solid as your ten years on that path, nature can still throw you a curveball. The image of the two of you freezing and staring at each other, thinking, "Wait, you live here?" is priceless! It really highlights how those familiar routes always hold a little bit of mystery. That photo is a great capture of the little masked bandit.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos!!! Thank you so much for sharing your lovely walk! I really appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have any raccoons in Australia so the animal and I would have to introduce each other if we met. We have possums, however.
ReplyDeleteHi, I'm so happy you stopped by my blog. You have a lovely blog and you are now on my sidebar so I don't miss a post. Blogger won't allow me to follow you. I can't wait to see your recipes. My son and his family life in Florida too. Raccoons run rampant here on the Oregon coast. So nice to meet you.
ReplyDeleteYour walking photos are terrific! I wonder if he was as scared of you and you were wary of him? Oh, and I don't have your email to reply directly but again, many thanks for visiting my blog!
ReplyDeleteStunning photos but yeah, we also don't have raccoons in our country.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos. I love my walks too, there is always something new to see.
ReplyDeleteYou got some great photos.
ReplyDeleteLove your photos. Florida has the best light for great outdoor pictures.
ReplyDelete