These days, in the suburbs, cavity-nesters and dwellers have far fewer choices when it comes to suitable nest sites.
Raccoons are fairly big animals, and finding just the right combination of security, space and access isn't easy.
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A few days ago, I returned to the cemetery where these photos were taken. Right away, I knew something was different. The regal, old and time-worn pine tree was no longer there.
A large stump (about 5 feet in diameter) was all that remained of the raccoon's den. It was obvious that the heartwood of the tree had been destroyed, and I'm fairly certain that the raccoons were old enough to be little more than interested parties in the loss.
