Saturday, March 19, 2011

Porcupine Patrol

The days are a rollercoaster of warmth and cold, which is what we need to avoid a spring flood. However, the critters are crawling out of hibernation as can be seen by this porcupine. On March 9th, Nelson came home and said there was porcupine a quarter mile away. By the time I grabbed my camera and jumped in his truck we were almost too late. This photo was taken approx 200 ft away and I zoomed in for it:



However, I managed to get a short video of it before it walked over the hill. Nelson had dropped me off and then drove on down the road to turn around, so the only sound on the video is that of the wind, the camera itself, and a few of my movements.




Here's the porcupine's meandering track as it started up the hill.






Five days later - on March 14th, Nelson came home and said their was a porcupine at the end of the driveway. I grabbed my camera, put my outerwear on and headed out, hoofing it. I could see him right from the house. If you look at my blog header, he was hiding in the bush that sits at the end of the driveway on the right side.




He wasn't moving and I wanted a good photo, so I yelled at him a couple times and wouldn't you know it - he turned his back on me! Although he was a good 30 ft away, I'm not in the habit of standing behind a porcupine, so I high-tailed it back to the house and let him have his peace.




What kind of creatures are coming out of hibernation or flying in where you live?


4 comments:

  1. no creatures as of yet. although the always interesting tourist creatures will be arriving soon to the Virginia Beach area. usually arriving pale and leaving tanned or sunburnt *heh*

    i love that your hubby always lets you know when photo/video ops are occurring around your place. such support for your photography hobby/obsession!

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  2. i'd be scared to death. we've had a skunk lurking around. great post.

    I woke up Sunday a.m. to find my blog, my 500 plus followers, my 100plus author interviews, and my 200 plus reviews gone. Blogger gave no explanation, but I think the account was hacked. Change your password often!

    I have reloaded the interviews and reviews, plus redesigned the blog. But if you could, please hit the "follow" button so I can reclaim the fellow bloggers I miss. I'm still following you, as my account remained--thank goodness!
    http://kellymoranauthor.blogspot.com

    Thank you!
    Kelly Moran
    XO

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  3. Yeah Deb, from pale to sunburned, that's us. They say the extremes keep us healthy and strong, though, so I'll take that bit of propaganda. LOL

    Yes, Nelson supports my phototaking phobia that way. Now, if only he'd stop for a pic while he's driving. Silly me ... I'll take whatever support I can get. :)

    Thanks, Deb.

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  4. Oh, Kelly, how depressing. Yes, I've just gone over and followed you again. Hmmm... does that mean I'm a re-follower?

    I can't imagine having 500+ followers - well, okay, I can dream having that many - but to lose them all like that. Ugh! And all your author interviews, too, without an explanation from blogger. What an exasperating situation. Good for you for handling it so well.

    I've uploaded my blog onto a flash drive and it 'says' it's all there, but of course, the test will come if I ever need to use it. And of course, it's only as good as the last post which means it's way outdated already.

    Thanks for the reminder to change passwords often. Excellent advice.

    You have skunks? Yeah, us too - both skunks and porcupines will 'shoot' you if their back is turned so just stare 'em down, and walk backwards. :D

    Anita Mae.

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