For the Chinese New Year — celebrated Jan. 29 — 2025 is the Year of the Wood Snake.
But for our Arkansas Living Reader Photo Contest, 2025 is the Year of the Raccoon.
Of the thousands of stunning photos submitted, several of our staff favorites happened to depict these magical, sometimes mischievous, masked mammals.
Check out Tiffany Harper of Bryant’s adorable, awe-inspiring photo on our cover (BELOW, and check out the rest of our winners). Her caption for the wild critter who looks positively posed: “A baby raccoon is perched among the branches of our pear tree, stretching to grab a pear!”
That the ambitious raccoon is reaching for fruit seemed like an aspirational and hopeful image to begin a new year.
We’re not sure if it’s the same raccoon or maybe a photogenic sibling, but it’s the same photographer — Harper — who also captured another irresistible image (TOP LEFT), captioned, “A curious glance from a baby raccoon!”
Nancy Steenburgen of Heber Springs caught another animated animal in the act of rabblerousing (BELOW). Her caption: “This little rascal is peeking out from behind a tree to see if he can get to my birdfeeders.”
And then there was nothing at all ambitious, curious or animated about these last two raccoons, idling in a tree (BELOW). Photographer Alana Anders of Warren captioned this photo: “Enjoying a lazy day!”
Maybe you’re starting off 2025 feeling determined like our cover raccoon, or maybe you’re feeling a little sluggish like the limb loafers.
Either way, we wish you a fruitful and peaceful new year!
Jennifer Christman Cia