Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Porcupine

Came across this old photo of a hungry Common Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) a few weeks ago, when I was backing up a few more files. Taken at Sikome, Fish Creek Park, on 17 December 2009. ■The common porcupine is a large, robust rodent. Adults weigh about 10 kilograms (22 pounds). ■Has a thick tail, and short powerful legs with long curved claws. ■Coat is composed of rows of dense, brown undercoat with yellow-tipped guard hairs. ■Guard hairs alternate with rows of loosely attached quills that vary from 25 to 65 millimetres (1 to 2.5 inches) in length. ■Quills taper to a sharp and stiff point that is covered with very small barbs. ■Quills are hollow, thus reducing their weight and providing buoyancy when the animal occasionally swims. srd.alberta.ca/FishWildlife/WildSpecies/Mammals/RabbitsRo...

We came across these Porcupine tracks at Carburn Park on April 19th. I think this was the first time I had ever seen a pattern like this in the snow. Hope the little guy has a clearer path by now! It did snow heavily again yesterday, but most of it didn't stick to the ground, just the grass was rather white. The forecast for today was more snow, but this afternoon is nice and sunny. Snow/rain showers for tomorrow and chance of thundershowers tomorrow afternoon (up to 8C).

This is another of the photos I took on 17th December 2009, when I came across this Porcupine down at Sikome, Fish Creek Park. It had its eyes closed pretty well closed the whole time I was watching it - I wonder if this was because it had been asleep when I first spotted it, or maybe because closed eyes are protected from all those sharp needles when feeding? Really very sweet : ) talkaboutwildlife.ca/profile/?s=530

Sometimes, I get a really strong feeling that I should go to a local park, so I went yesterday, despite feeling a little light-headed - and this is what I saw!! I watched this Porcupine for maybe half an hour at least, chewing away on Spruce branches, hoping that he/she might come out a little further away from the trunk. It was late afternoon and wasn't far from starting to get dark by the time I left. Haven't had a chance to go through all my (very similar!) photos to find the "best" one, if there is such a thing, but have lightened this one (for which I used flash). Love those tiny hands. What a treat!

Another shot of the Porcupine in Fish Creek Park, this time showing his beady little eye. It had its eyes closed pretty well closed the whole time I was watching it - I wonder if this was because it had been asleep when I first spotted it, or maybe because closed eyes are protected from all those sharp needles when feeding? Really very sweet : ) talkaboutwildlife.ca/profile/?s=530

Unfortunately, this isn't the wild one that is in a local park, but one of the ones that live at the Calgary Zoo. I have seen the wild one, but not for quite a while.

I haven't made a mosaic for AGES! I used to find that they made a good record of what photos I had uploaded to Flickr, but then other things in life took priority : ). I noticed that my "Wild Animals of Alberta, Page 1" mosaic is my third most looked-at "photo", with 6,170 views. A lot of people seem to be doing Internet searches for Alberta wild animals, so I thought I would put a few more of my images into a convenient block. NO NEED FOR COMMENTS! 1. Almost in the crosswalk , 2. Fall by the Beaver Pond , 3. Mule Deer in sunlight , 4. Keeping watch , 5. That tasted so good , 6. Coyote in the snow , 7. What's for supper? , 8. Young Red , 9. Blackie , 10. Weary , 11. Leftovers , 12. Looking back , 13. Out with Mom , 14. Handsome , 15. Ball of spines , 16. Out on a limb , 17. Motionless , 18. Checking things out , 19. Curiosity , 20. Now I can see better , 21. If I keep still.... , 22. Stretch , 23. Hiding , 24. My mini-polar-bear look , 25. Who are you? Created with fd's Flickr Toys .

I have never seen a live Porcupine in the wild (just roadkill) but came across this one at the Calgary Zoo the other day. I have seen some evidence of wild Porcupines - their burrows and stripped trees.

A pretty perfect ball of spines! There were three of these Porcupines out in the snow at the Calgary Zoo a few days ago.