u.s.a. (unidentified sleeping animal)

My husband and I decided to take  advantage of a cool but sunny spring day and take a hike at a nearby conservation area. A man passed by and told us there was “some kind of animal” sleeping up in a tree  not too far ahead.

Sure enough, there it was……

….all curled up in the crook of a tree about 30 feet above us.

After taking a few pictures from the trail I quickly decided to get closer.

I always want to get closer!

I was afraid the sound of crunching leaves under my feet would wake him from his nap, but he did not move a muscle as I edged closer to the tree.

He (or she) was the size of a baby bear, but we were fairly confident that there were no bears in this neck of the woods!

He was completely undisturbed by our conversation and at one point, we wondered if he was actually alive.

His creepy little “hands” reminded me of a character in a fantasy movie.

At the same time, I was captivated by him.

He looked so snuggly, covering he eyes from the daylight as he slept.

We finally left him to his slumber. He’d never know that we were ever there.

After some photo editing and debate, we decided he was an EXTREMELY large……..

racoon.

This was a moment in nature I will not forget.