Sunday, February 10, 2013

Coatimundi

1. coatimundi-kab Coatimundi in Madera Canyon 1-4-2013

On January 4 while I was in Madera Canyon on my Big January hunt with Chris Rihrer and we spotted this coatimundi at the top of the canyon in the parking lot. While I know coati’s live in Arizona, until recently I had only seen a brief glimpse of one. I have now seen this one twice, both times in Madera. These photos were taken on the 4th however as I did not have my camera with me the second time. The Coati is known to frequent the bird feeders at the Santa Rita Lodge.

coati scrounging-kab Like a raccoon, it loves to eat human food scraps and will scrounge around looking for them. Someone obviously left this food out for it on purpose and Chris and I just happened to come along as it was feeding.

DO NOT DO THIS!

I was fascinated by its long nose, which to me seemed as flexible and sensitive as an anteater’s, or an elephant’s trunk. I was a bit intimidated by the animal’s size and kept my distance while photographing it. At times it started towards us, hoping we would give it some food, but we did not. I hope you enjoy this photo essay of this amazing creature!

2. coatimundi-kab 

3. coati in madera canyon-kab 

4. coatimundi-kab 

5. coatimundi-kab 

6. side view-kab 

7. food-kab 

8. feeding-kab 

9. closeup-kab

Santa Rita mtn-kab Sunlight and Shadows in Madera Canyon

Posted by at
Labels: ,

15 comments:

  1. eileeninmdFebruary 10, 2013 at 6:47 AM

    It is a cute critter, great shots!

    ReplyDelete
  2. thewovenspokeFebruary 10, 2013 at 9:47 AM

    Kathy, my siblings and I saw one once in the wild. Sure glad he was after scrsps when you saw him. They can be aggressive, lots of sharp teeth and claws. Good shots you got of it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kathie BrownFebruary 13, 2013 at 8:03 PM

      thewovenspoke, I was not sure if they could be vicious or not but I was not taking any chances! These guys are BIG!

      Delete
  3. GuyFebruary 10, 2013 at 11:38 AM

    Hi Kathie

    A really cool critter, I winder if they can be as big a pest as raccoons. But I di love them.

    Guy

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mia McPhersonFebruary 10, 2013 at 12:08 PM

    I haven't seen a wild Coati since I left AZ many moons ago and I loved seeing yours Kathie!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kathie BrownFebruary 13, 2013 at 8:13 PM

      MIa, this was actually my best look ever at one!

      Delete
  5. RohrerbotFebruary 10, 2013 at 3:47 PM

    Hehe.....he was looking right at you:) I felt like he wanted to take a road trip with us. PS. Saw a verdin today at our place!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kathie BrownFebruary 13, 2013 at 8:14 PM

      Chris, I was afraid he was going to leap into your car! congrats on the verdin!

      Delete
  6. KathrynFebruary 10, 2013 at 6:28 PM

    Never seen one of these animals...I think I would keep my distance too! I bet they are like raccoons, cute but meaner than all git out.

    ReplyDelete
  7. MaryFebruary 11, 2013 at 10:29 AM

    Wow...what a terrific find! It looks like someone has sort of tamed it with all the feeding, but I'm sure it is quite fierce. I've never seen one and it does seem rather raccoon like.....those I have plenty of! I'm hoping to be in Arizona in mid-April.

    ReplyDelete
  8. CelesteFebruary 12, 2013 at 2:59 PM

    ADORABLE!!!! Next time you see him will you please ask him to come and live in my yard :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kathie BrownFebruary 13, 2013 at 8:15 PM

      Celeste, will take you to see him and then you can try to persuade him, okay?

      Delete

Welcome to my nest! I hope you will enjoy spending time here with me and the birds. Thank you for your comments. I will try to get back to you as soon as I get back from counting more birds.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)