Mr. P

Gallery: WildlifePosted June 11, 2016187 views14 comments

This North American Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) showed up in my backyard and was snacking on some leaves when I think he noticed me watching from my deck. I thought his expression realizing perhaps that he was seen was comical. The shot of him eating is below in the comments section.

Thanks for checking him out, and I hope you get a chuckle from him as well.

Stowe, Vermont

D500
500mmf/4
1/1250s @ f/5.6
ISO 1250
Handheld

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on June 11, 2016 at 1:11 PM

The image just before he got busted:

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on June 12, 2016 at 7:46 AM

Hi Chuck,

Well presented and he does look like he's guilty of munching on that tree. A few weeks back, I had a woodchuck that was 20 feet up in a tree. But nothing can replace a porcupine..............................Jim

Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on June 12, 2016 at 8:59 AM

Hi Chuck,

It's my experience that it's always hard to get a good shot of a porcupine that clearly shows their eyes and claws...so nicely done in that regard! I like "radiating" branches here and how the porker is almost peaking out from behind the trunk of the tree. Very nice capture of a unique critter!

Cheers...

Brad

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on June 12, 2016 at 9:28 AM

Great shot of a difficult subject. Love that expression and great look at the claws and eyes.

Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on June 12, 2016 at 4:58 PM

He does look like he's checking you out, Chuck. His black and white fur fits well with the dark tree branches while being set off nicely by the green leaves. The claws and feet show very well. Quite the backyard find.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on June 12, 2016 at 5:52 PM

How great it must have been to get one in the open. The only ones I've had a chance to photograph (including those in Latin America) were constantly obscured by branches. The green foliage makes for a wonderful complementary tone too.

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Sandor on June 12, 2016 at 7:38 PM

Charles: love the look on the face; almost as if the porcupine was surprised to have been caught in the act. Thanks for the unique post. Be aware that these guys are creatures of habit and will come back to dine at a favorite spot (along with the whole family). Richard

Registered on January 12, 2014, 453 Posts, 1625 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on June 13, 2016 at 3:55 AM

Charles,
An expression to die for devil

I am always amazed to see them in trees.

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on June 13, 2016 at 10:08 AM

Great comments thus far. I, too, especially like the radiating branches. Porcupine seem to me to be mostly expressionless in most encounters. That you caught this one with eye contact, one suspended paw, and that great quizzical look makes the shot. Nice work.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on June 13, 2016 at 8:45 PM

Great shot of a porker. The look on it's face and the way it looks like it is peaking around the tree. Also great detail, color and composition.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Jeff Bushnell on June 14, 2016 at 1:21 AM

Looks like you surprised him, Chuck. Nice shot.

Registered on April 3, 2011, 20 Posts, 122 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Williams on June 18, 2016 at 5:05 PM

They are so cute. What a great expression. Love all of it. Great radial lines on the tree. Congratulations on WP.