I had seen this porcupine earlier in the day but it was curled up in a ball sleeping. I decided to swing back by at the end of the day to see if it was active. Unfortunately still sleeping, but then, for just a moment, it started to nibble on pine needles and twigs as the moon rose in the background. After only a few shots, it went back to sleep. I could have used some fill flash, but I’ll take it. It’s been quite some time since I’ve seen a porcupine in the wild in North America. Photographed last Sunday in northern Minnesota.Nikon D500 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/1000th of a second.
The pine needles are clearly piquant, verging on succulent. But this chef has, who was once one of the most promising culinary auteurs below 14th Street, has been banging out the same slightly overseasoned needles for years to crowds of aspiring Instagram stars on vacation from Des Moines and Ann Arbor. They’ve lost the sense of magic and curiosity they used to have. So while this porcupine is clearly enjoying his needles I don’t think it’s fair to say that he’s “over the moon.”
I would never had guessed this is a porcupine. It looks like a nest or part of the tree growth. Zooming in and seeing the eye makes it real. Interesting picture.
I agree with Donna. I thought it was a hornet’s nest. But then I could discern the eyes so I guess it’s an animal. Very tightly huddled together animal.
Fun, fun shot! I guess I never realized that porcupines were climbers! I had only seen them wandering about on the ground, looking for some unsuspecting varmint to throw needles at, and in general just bumbling along the ground. Glad he wasn’t “mooning’ you!
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I had seen this porcupine earlier in the day but it was curled up in a ball sleeping. I decided to swing back by at the end of the day to see if it was active. Unfortunately still sleeping, but then, for just a moment, it started to nibble on pine needles and twigs as the moon rose in the background. After only a few shots, it went back to sleep. I could have used some fill flash, but I’ll take it. It’s been quite some time since I’ve seen a porcupine in the wild in North America. Photographed last Sunday in northern Minnesota.Nikon D500 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/1000th of a second.
The pine needles are clearly piquant, verging on succulent. But this chef has, who was once one of the most promising culinary auteurs below 14th Street, has been banging out the same slightly overseasoned needles for years to crowds of aspiring Instagram stars on vacation from Des Moines and Ann Arbor. They’ve lost the sense of magic and curiosity they used to have. So while this porcupine is clearly enjoying his needles I don’t think it’s fair to say that he’s “over the moon.”
That’s my Pete Wells impression in case you were wondering.
I would never had guessed this is a porcupine. It looks like a nest or part of the tree growth. Zooming in and seeing the eye makes it real. Interesting picture.
I agree with Donna. I thought it was a hornet’s nest. But then I could discern the eyes so I guess it’s an animal. Very tightly huddled together animal.
Excellent photo! Love the fact that the moonrise is prominent in this image.
Fun, fun shot! I guess I never realized that porcupines were climbers! I had only seen them wandering about on the ground, looking for some unsuspecting varmint to throw needles at, and in general just bumbling along the ground. Glad he wasn’t “mooning’ you!
I ususally look in trees for them. They love to nap in them. Great job on getting the eye. Hard to do with such a dark colored animal.