There's lots to be said for country living - fresh air, wide open spaces, little congestion (we occasionally experience rush minutes vs. rush hours in the nearby village), and we're surrounded by plenty of nature. The density of humans can likely be counted on 2 hands per square mile whereas the density of other living creatures would be many times that of humans.
And so we do encounter wildlife on a regular basis. Today we encountered what might be known as the bane of dog owners, or the friend of veterinarians, depending on what side of the credit card you're on. I'm talking here about your docile porcupine.
In our family we all have had experience with our dogs meeting up with one of these prickly creatures and some experiences have resulted in quite costly vet bills. You would think that after such an experience our dogs would learn to avoid porcupines ... think again - some of them have had 4 encounters and they've always ended up on the wrong side of them.
After my wife spotted this one ambling along in front of the house, I dashed after it camera in hand (to say 'ran after it' would be a stretch since they move along at a steady rate that shows complete confidence in their 'armour'). As I got closer to it you can see that its hackles were raised - not that I needed a warning. I eventually lost it in the woods.
I'm happy to report that no dogs, or porcupines, were injured in the making of these photos.
And so we do encounter wildlife on a regular basis. Today we encountered what might be known as the bane of dog owners, or the friend of veterinarians, depending on what side of the credit card you're on. I'm talking here about your docile porcupine.
In our family we all have had experience with our dogs meeting up with one of these prickly creatures and some experiences have resulted in quite costly vet bills. You would think that after such an experience our dogs would learn to avoid porcupines ... think again - some of them have had 4 encounters and they've always ended up on the wrong side of them.
After my wife spotted this one ambling along in front of the house, I dashed after it camera in hand (to say 'ran after it' would be a stretch since they move along at a steady rate that shows complete confidence in their 'armour'). As I got closer to it you can see that its hackles were raised - not that I needed a warning. I eventually lost it in the woods.
I'm happy to report that no dogs, or porcupines, were injured in the making of these photos.
13 comments:
I don't often get to see these animals, Rick, and I love these photos you are sharing. Thank you!
Hi Rick, how you doing? Hope all is well at your side.I'm back after a long silent and partially it's also due to my blog got hiccups. I can't access my own blog. Anyway it's ok now, problem solved.
Thanks for sharing this very nice entry and the porcupines pictures. Very impressive header picture.
Have a great weekend. Warmest regards.
Amelia
Die zien we niet zo vaak, je hebt hem goed kunnen fotograferen in al zijn natuurlijke schoonheid.
Groeten, Marianne
Super!!! prachtig toch als je deze ontmoeting kan hebben in de vrije natuur!
groetjes, Hilde
I'm assuming that no humans were injured either. Good to see a nice close up of this guy. It's an animal we don't get to see very often. Nice to visit your blog again.
Welcome back Rick. We have porcupines around here as well and our son's old dog who is blind and deaf had a meeting with one up close and personal last summer. Poor Marshall got a face full of quills. They do move pretty fast, just like racoons. I've seen them up in poplar trees eating away too. Great pics.
Good to hear from you again and even better to know that you had sense enough to keep a safe distance away from this Porcupine.
Great shots!
jamais vu de porc épic ici ! un animal pas très sympathique I must say ! the dogs doivent aimer l'odeur !
hope que tu vas bien and I wish you un joli mois de mai
It seems we've all had our dog attacked by porcupines. Despite the work it takes to boot all the thorns, I think it is a very beautiful animal.
Sweet beijos and love.
Ha ha... I just envisioned you chasing after it with your camera in hand. Funny little fella! ( I mean the porcupine of course)
I don't remember just where I was out west, but one fine day while I was truckin' along, I spotted a varmint scampering at the bottom of a ditch beside the road I was on. Much to my amazement, it was porcupine!
Hoi Rick,
deze stekelvarken ziet er gevaarlijk uit met die scherpe stekels. Gelukkig ben je niet gewond geraakt door de stekels en ook niet een van je honden. Ik lees dat jullie hond al 4 keer met deze stekelvarkens in contact t is geweest. Oei! Au!
Groetjes, Helma
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