A photograph of a group of raccoons clustered around a San Francisco bus has gone viral. "I'm shocked, actually," the photographer, Stephen W. Thomson, tells Paw Nation. The delightful photograph was posted to Thomson's Flickr page, and has been reported by the Daily Mail in London, The Wall Street Journal, and local Web sites.
A San Francisco resident since 2006, Thomson is never without a camera. "I go running at night and early in the mornings with my point-and-shoot camera wrapped in a sock," he says. "I'm out in the city at times when most people are asleep, and this allows me to see things and capture what most people don't see." On this particular night, it was about 2 a.m.; Thomson was photographing his neighbor's tricked-out car near the Legion of Honor Museum when he noticed a group of raccoons gathering nearby. "There were a few raccoons, then there were many," Thomson says. "I was enthralled with the quantity of raccoons because it's not something you see everyday, like pigeons."
Admired from afar, the raccoons outside the bus -- some of whom were standing on their hind legs -- were well-mannered as they ate bits of food off the ground. "They were quiet and not beating each other to get to the food," Thomson says. While it's been reported that the bus driver regularly feeds the raccoons who gather, Thomson says he does not know for a fact whether that is true. "I didn't actually see the bus driver feeding the raccoons and don't know if he does that regularly," Thomson says, adding that he does not want to get the bus driver in any trouble.
"What I find interesting," says Thomson, "is the joy that viewers get from seeing the photograph." We sure do!
A San Francisco resident since 2006, Thomson is never without a camera. "I go running at night and early in the mornings with my point-and-shoot camera wrapped in a sock," he says. "I'm out in the city at times when most people are asleep, and this allows me to see things and capture what most people don't see." On this particular night, it was about 2 a.m.; Thomson was photographing his neighbor's tricked-out car near the Legion of Honor Museum when he noticed a group of raccoons gathering nearby. "There were a few raccoons, then there were many," Thomson says. "I was enthralled with the quantity of raccoons because it's not something you see everyday, like pigeons."
Admired from afar, the raccoons outside the bus -- some of whom were standing on their hind legs -- were well-mannered as they ate bits of food off the ground. "They were quiet and not beating each other to get to the food," Thomson says. While it's been reported that the bus driver regularly feeds the raccoons who gather, Thomson says he does not know for a fact whether that is true. "I didn't actually see the bus driver feeding the raccoons and don't know if he does that regularly," Thomson says, adding that he does not want to get the bus driver in any trouble.
"What I find interesting," says Thomson, "is the joy that viewers get from seeing the photograph." We sure do!
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can you say,,,,, " awwww"?? I read a story about a cat who went every day to the (bus or train, or trolly" to the stop that led to the zoo.. was the first one there,, every day,,, then found it's way home the same way.. a.. so cute.....b,,, more adorable..
a couple of years ago I was at the legion of honors in SF at around 1am (it's really pretty at night_, and lo' and behold there were a boat load of raccoons milling about. it turns out that a elderly gentleman feeds them dog food. we chatted with the man and he was really sweet. Said he went there every night to feed the raccoons and there were also a few coyotes that he fed too. after they ate, the raccoons would lay about stuffed and well fed. soooo cute. since then I have gone back but the raccoon man of SF was not there. it's nice to know that the raccoons still get fed somehow.
As someone who had a VERY unpleasant encounter with a rabid raccoon some years ago, I'm a bit apprehensive about this gathering in city streets. The rabies virus can last a couple of weeks on a dead animal - on a live one, it's HIGHLY contagious.
Yes, they're "cute," but don't push your luck, people! Trust me, the sequence of shots that follows a contact is no fun.
I LOVE THE RACCOONS THAT I'VE BEEN FEEDING IN MY YARD FOR
20 YRS - NEVER MISSING A NIGHT --HAVE FED SO MANY OVER THIS
TIME I'VE LOST COUNT OF THE YOUNG ONES BUT I ESTIMATE AROUND
150+ AS I LIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS NEAR A CANYON THAT IS IMPASSABLE
BY HUMANS AND IT HAS RUNNING STREAM ALL YEAR SO THE WILD
LIFE CONGREGATES HEAVERLY - HAD A FEW OVER THE YEARS THAT
WOULD EAT FROM MY HAND BUT FIGURED THAT IS DANGEROUS AS
I COULD GET BITTEN AND A DISEASE -- THEY DRINK LOTS OF WATER
LOVE TO LIE IN STRAW/HAY AND NEVER SEEN IN THE DAY-TIME SO
THEY MUST KNOW OF A CAVE SOMEWHERE CLOSEBYE --
Many wild creatures harbor zoonoses (illnesses that humans can catch.) That is why we should interest ourselves in the health of our wildlife, and even our vermin. I may have rats in my barn, but at least I know they do not have fleas (harbingers of illness) or internal parasites, because I treat them along with my flocks.
Why be adversary with Nature if we can help her instead?
YOU CAN TELL BY LOOKING AT THE PHOTO THAT THEY ARE WAITING
TO BE FED.
It is also obviously to me the bus driver is feeding them. Animals have a sense of time, so likely the raccoons know when to gather near the stop. A mother brings her litter so they learn, and then they bring their litter... My rooster goes off within a couple minutes each morning.
Silly Scharabo: About your rooster "going off" within a few minutes every morning because "animals have a sense of time" ?? NO!! The rooster goes off because it is dawn and the sun is coming up!! Think before writing next time.
Kathy
Animals do have a sense of time. We were at a night game at Pac Bell Park in 2006 and it went extra innings. However, at the normal ending time of 10pm, seagulls began to gather along the top tiers. By 10:30, when the game had not yet ended, the gulls had increased in number to hundreds; the entire top level was lined with gull, and they were all squawking in annoyance that the game wasn't over and, thus, they couldn't swoop down for the leftover food.
maybe this is a cute photo, but racoons are quite dangerous. they are mean and could also carry rabies. not very wise to feed them and have them "herd" like that !!
they are not mean, they are just wild animals.....
they are very intelligent, adaptable and fascinating to observe.
yes, they can get rabies, so , like any wild animal, so unless you're an expert, you probably shouldn't get too close.
go read "Rascal" by Sterling North
yes, all animals are dangerous! But the most dangerous of all is humans.
Most animals only react when threatened, if you feel that way, then stay
away from them.
My wife and I rehabbed many many raccoons in what was the only wildlife rehab center in NYC. Yes, raccoons can carry rabies BUT just like we don't approach strange people, don't approach a strange animal. If it feels threatened by your presence, even if that's not your intent, it will defend itself. If we don't bother them, they won't bother us.
If peopld fed animals like that who live in the city and dwell close to humans, they wouldn't need to scrounge for food and might become more tame. I love little animals like that and I feed the raccoons who visit my backyard. They're healthy and not mean or dangerous as long as they are not hurt , cornered or protecting their babies.
raccoons, even though they are naughty are still very cute!!!
Maybe they just want a ride back to the Redwood Forest after a day at Fisherman's Wharf.
awwww..it is great what he's doing, but what happens to the animals if...he retires and doesn't come back...or they get so used to being fed by people that they think we are all going to feed them...this is why they say not to feed wild animals..they become dependant on us for food. If you are goiung to do this...leave food in the woods where you know they will get it and be away from people and CARS.
How cute! This tickled me to death! And yes, they are waiting (good manneredly) for their treats. The driver should get a raise...the raccoons don't have to go thru resident's garbage cans when the bus is coming!
Well it isn't hard to notice in the photo a man standing at the open door. The raccoons are standing on their hind legs waiting for him to throw the food out. Raccoons are not pack animals, but if they know of a food source and it's a constant thing, they will gang up and head out. Like cats they will keep going back, just like the favorite garbage can they knock over every night.
funny.........im sure the busdriver now has seen it all!!!!!!!!!