It’s been three times now in 2018, we’ve spotted a family a racoons digging in the mud for food at Womack Creek, Tate’s Hell State Forest.

We have been monitoring this creek since 2012 and except for a pair of mating raccoons (in a tree!), they have been noticeably out of sight.

All three sightings have been in the morning under overcast skies and at low tide.

The first time around — over a month ago, the mother and three kits were first sighted.  Mom gave an alarm call and all three kits and mom got out of sight.  Second time around, mom seemed less alarmed and let the two kits be where they were, foraging in the mud.  She, herself, absented herself into the brush.  Today, the larger, possibly the mother,  ambled into the bush, leaving two kits to dig in the mud.  Of the two kits, one was less intimidated and continued digging as the kayak floated nearer to it.