A porcupine in a tree
Driving through farmland south of Cochrane today, I came across a glowing ball in the top branches of a thicket of scrub bush. The ball was a North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum). The glow was from the sunlight reflecting off of the quills.
I knew this was one of the things that porcupines frequently do as they climb up to eat the bark, but it was my first time to see it directly. I had to cross a field to get remotely close and as I drew near, the spiky fellow dropped down lower into the branches. Indicating it was uncomfortable with me coming over for a visit. I waited a hundred feet away for a few minutes to see if it would relax and climb back to a higher spot where I would have a clear line of sight. It didn’t but I was able to find a couple spots where the face and front claws could be seen amid the brambles.
Hopefully next time I can approach a little slower or find a more curious porcupine that will let me take a couple of photographs that better portray these interesting creatures.
The black and white photo is awesome. The last one also. Plus the one in the middle.
March 2, 2013 at 4:08 pm
You’re so lucky to have been able to capture shots of this porcupine! How lovely. 🙂
January 30, 2013 at 6:13 am
The second is very textural with the high-lighted porcupine and my favourite.
January 29, 2013 at 7:10 pm
These are some great shots. I like the sun lighting up the porcupine. I’ve never seen anything like it before. Educational to say the least.
January 28, 2013 at 8:21 pm
Estos animalitos, yo los conocí en la montaña, cuando yo tenia diez años, son bonitos y peligrosos, porque las espinas que tienen son peligrosos, cuando se le ensarta una espina a la piel de uno, esta espina corre dentro de la carne, porque lo pudimos comprobar con un perro que se le acerco a ese animal y se le sumergio la espina en la piel. Felicitaciones Chris, son buenas fotos.
January 28, 2013 at 6:41 pm
Wow! What a magical and unusual encounter! I’ve come across many porcupines but never one who likes to climb! Stunning photographs…
January 28, 2013 at 2:59 am
They are interesting creatures. I have come to like them this year after two encounters.
January 27, 2013 at 11:34 pm