I read a fairly disturbing, but illuminating science fiction story a while back, called, of all things, "The Cage." It sticks out even now, because of the ending. Humans had been placed in a cage by aliens who were likely about to dissect the "strange" creatures, but during their imprisonment, the humans in question were visited by a small, somewhat cute, vermin sort of creature. A likely mouse or rat variant of sorts. Anyway, the humans constructed a cage for the smaller creature and kept it there, and were--as a result--contacted by the aliens who'd been ignoring them previously. It was explained, by one of the aliens, that only intelligent creatures put other creatures in cages. That stuck with me, because of the odd truthfulness in it. The urge to cage something (and in many cases, someone) seems to stem from a recognition of something else. It also stems from arrogance on the part of the cager. How unfortunate! How telling! Okay...as I now officially stop rambling, I'll end by saying that this is an incredibly expressive photograph and I love the details in it. Racoons are among my favorite animals, and there are some rather large, urban adapted raccoons living in an area I visit regularly; they're large and healthy, and have organized themselves into something of an alley-raiding raccoon mafia, which I find hilarious. They're actually running a back-alley dumpster racket! Sort of. Well, they do seem organized. I think that's what I like about most mammals: they have brain power enough to do unexpected things, and you capture quite a lot of that in this image, and it's an outstanding image.

Oh wow. What a face! A most excellent photograph.

Those eyes seem to look right down into your soul. What a delightful photo!

A superb portrait of this beautiful creature.

Beautiful hope she's OK.

I don't understand, like you :o( She looks so well & healthy now & has started her new life, thanks to you. xx

Adorable face and what a sweetie and i also hate that people do this sort of thing and also to dogs that really irritates me glad u got a chance to help this wonderful creature.

I have always thought these were one of the most adorable critters. Lately I have seen the antics of a cable TV show about a wildlife trapper (aka animal advocate) name "Turtle Man", a somewhat odd character, who is constantly dealing with the more wild antic dangers of Racoons. Your work approach is a lot more heart warming then his! When I lived a bit further south in Boca Raton, FL we had a oceanside woodsy park full of overly spoiled and friendly Racoons. Despite signs warning to ignore feeding and approaching them... people will sadly always be people and not respect nature that is better left to professionals such as yourself. Thanks again for doing the work you do on behalf of wildlife!

I'm glad you cared so much for these animals. It's so sad when they are abused. I too hate to see them in cages.

Thank you for the wonderful photos you post. But mostly thank you for caring!

Thanks for another beautiful portrait! This little one seems to really mean business - "don't mess with me!" There is something intensely focused and haunting in those eyes. I wonder what this little fellow has been through. If they could speak and tell us! And they have no psychotherapists to help them. But, they have kind, patient people who can gently show them that there are other people who are different and who care. And I'm quite sure, once they let go of their fear, they appreciate all you're doing for them! This one's eyes are so different - I'm trying to figure out if it's the flash bouncing off the inside of its eyes that give the brown color. It seems like its pupils are very wide open. I've read Chipka's comment about the "back alley dumpster racket". That made me laugh. Animals are often smarter than people because people are so wrapped up in their selves and egos. Now, if people were to vanish from earth, would the racoons take over, or the rats? Keep up the good work! Your photos are fantastic, as is your work! :-)

Gorgeous shot!!!! We have a lot of wildlife in our area and sometimes get deer in our backyard. The cutest thing was a mama skunk with her babies.

it's a shame what some humans do to wild animals. i made a mastake by taking a black kitten home from the woods and did not know that the mother had been killed and she was a black panther. i raised the cub as a cat then found out what she was but by that time she was 3/4 grown but never in a cage she lived in my home until a bugler broke in and his screems brought the cops and i had to give her up but she went to the zoo. but i loved her very much.

Pretty girl.. No creature needs to be in a cage... Hope she does fine.

Such a beautiful creature. :)

Another one of my pet-peeves are those people who will trap and cage a creature like a raccoon or other wild animals. So very glad you were able to rehabilitate her. There is so much in this photo that reaches out to me at least.