Urban wildlife is wildlife.

When we think of wildlife, the first thing that comes to mind is the safari in Africa, Alaska’s wilderness, or the Amazon jungle and such. We forget that we are surrounded by it right where we are. In the middle of the urban spaces. I have been observing urban wildlife for a few years now and am fascinated by it. It surprises me every time I look up to see a Red-Tailed Hawk hovering above or a pack of Coyotes howling in the middle of the street outside my bedroom window at 3 a.m. Owls hoot above the busy trails of the Japanese gardens in Golden Gate Park. Not to mention the hummingbirds, sparrows, tiny Black-Eyed Juncos, and so many other creatures… 

Early this morning, I came across one of the cutest members of the urban wildlife community, the raccoons! I only had my phone with me because I was out for a run, but the scene was so adorable that I couldn’t pass on sharing it here. So this may not be professionally photographed, but I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, watching them easing into the new day…

And the moral of the story, or a reminder – take it as you wish – but don’t forget to pause and look around when you go about your day; you never know what cute moment of life you might miss.