Raccoons guests at Audubon benefit

photo by Cal Vornberger

Last night three raccoons dined among the guests at the NYC Audubon's benefit party at the Central Park Boathouse. Appearing at about 9:45 p.m. in the bushes at the north and eastern sides of the outdoor terrace, the rather under-dressed party-crashers ate large quantites of chicken and pasta that were furtively offered them by the invited guests. The thick-tailed, black-masked members of the Procyonidae family, one that also includes kinkajous, coatis, cacomistles, ringtails and olingos, seemed to especially enjoy the little chocolate petit fours and the miniature cheesecakes from the dessert table.

Photographer Cal Vornberger, whose new book Birds of Central Park was snapped up at the silent auction, agreed that the desserts were the best part of the meal.