Lucky Break

Jason Bantle's Image

A raccoon poked her head out of an abandoned car and paused to assess her surroundings, allowing Jason just enough time to use a long exposure in the twilight. The back seat was an ideal den for the raccoon and her five cubs as the only entrance – through a blunt-edged hole in the glass – was large enough for her but too small for predators such as coyotes.

Raccoons tend to make their dens in hollow trees or rock crevices but they are extremely adaptable. Emerging at dusk, this mother will spend the night foraging for food for herself and her young. Raccoons are opportunistic and will eat anything from fruit and nuts to the contents of rubbish bins.


Behind the lens

Jason Bantle

Jason Bantle

Canada

A love of nature has defined Jason's life since childhood, having grown up on the prairies of Saskatchewan, Canada. In 2000, he decided to follow his passion, so he quit his job to found All in the Wild and focus on photography full-time. Every year, 6% of the sales from his photography is set aside for the purchase of lands for conservation - to date he has been able to secure 1,600 acres.

Image details

  • Nikon D810
  • 70–200mm f2.8 lens at 145mm
  • 0.4 sec at f2.8 (-0.7 e/v)  •   ISO 800  •   cable release  •   Gitzo tripod + Wimberley head  •   hide
  • Sonningdale, Saskatchewan, Canada
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