Friday, October 2, 2009

the Porcupine

lc2738


You will never believe where we found this porcupine! In a cemetery! See, I can find all sorts of things there. He was walking across the grounds when Dennis spotted him. By the time I got back from grabbing the camera out of the car he was going into the brush.


lc2739


He made some little growl/grunt noises at me then started climbing the tree.


lc2740


He was very interesting to watch climb - I'd never seen one this close in the wild before.


lc2741


He's a very slow climber. Occasionally he would pause and peek around the tree at me, then decide to keep climbing. Check out those claws! See the scratches on the tree?


lc2742


This is how he climbed, stretching all the way out. . .


lc2743


Then bringing the back feet up before moving the front feet again.


lc2744


From the marks on the tree I think he's climbed this one before.


lc2745


I was glad he was slow.


lc2746


At this point, he was pretty high above me, with brush between us too, so I think he felt safe.


lc2747


That's where we left him.





Camera Critters

27 comments:

  1. Lisa,
    What an awesome capture! I've never seen a porcupine in the wild, so I think just seeing one is very cool!

    ReplyDelete
  2. That is so cool! You are better than a zoo...you don't disturb the wildlife, they are in their natural habitat, and yet you can study their every movement and angle! Brilliant pictures, Lisa!
    Enjoy the day! Erin

    ReplyDelete
  3. So interesting and beautiful! They give the impression of being so soft and furry, but my husband said he has seen dogs on the farm after getting quills in their mouths. Very painful.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I know he's not cuddly, but he sure is dang cute.

    ReplyDelete
  5. He is so cute! What great captures Lisa! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. what a unique photo story. I'm glad you didn't get too close. We had a hound that used to take off hunting on his own for weeks at a time. More than a few times he came home with a snout full of porcupine barbs. Oh how he'd howl as my dad pulled them out with the pliers. Each barb has a little hook on the end and each barb also releases a little toxin. the poor dog would be miserable for weeks.

    ReplyDelete
  7. First time I have seen this animal, to cold in Norway for this. Nice pictures

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Lisa. Another amazing captures. My first time to see it up close.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Have a great weekend.
    Regina

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have never seen before this animal.
    I like him its a very cute porcupine
    (the name I never heard before ;) LOL
    Fantastic action shots and so many he was really slow ;)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Marvelous photo find and wonderful series about this interesting critter ;--)
    Hugs and blessings,

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a cool sighting and critter. I've only seen them in zoo's. Thanks for sharing your critter.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow, I've never seen one before. He looks like some kind of stuffed animal, or one of the crazy animals on a children's tv show. Great shots.

    ReplyDelete
  13. you always have the most endearing creatures on your blog like that dragonfly below and this delightful little guy here. he's so cute. i envy you of such a great find but happy you were able to share your newfound friend with us. have a great night.

    ReplyDelete
  14. You know, I think porcupines have prickly quills because they are so gosh darn cute they need to keep everyone from trying to smush them with cuddles! :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wow, I didn't even know porcupines climbed trees! Thanks for sharing this. Love the last two shots, he does look like he feels safe!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I always thought they had pointier noses. His is kind of sawed off and cute! Great shots!!

    Di

    ReplyDelete
  17. Just phenomenal shots! He really is adorable and I'm glad you were able to keep your distance and get such lovely photos of him.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wow!! I am in awe! These are so cool. I've never seen one so up close, such detail!!! Mouth really enjoyed looking at these. Bears (especially Panda's) are his favorite animal, 2nd is porcupines!

    ReplyDelete
  19. brilliant series of a cute fellow!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Interesting animal behavior documented here Lisa. Nice shots.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Wow! He is so cute! I always imagined a porcupine looked like an Echiddna, its nothing like one!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oh my goodness...HOW EXCITING!!! Fantastic shots!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love these pictures. I just started a photography class and am very excited to learn how to take awesome pics like these.

    ReplyDelete
  24. So cool! He is a lot cuter than I thought!

    ReplyDelete
  25. COOL! I've never seen one of these guys before. What a fabulous find in the cemetery!

    ReplyDelete
  26. OMG, he is ADORABLE!!!! I never knew of such a handsome porcupine. These are fantastic shots, National Geographic all the way!!!

    ReplyDelete