"THE AW FACTOR"

Porcupine (North American) - 7 Photos

While just sitting enjoying the warm April sunshine, something appeared in my peripheral vision. Quickly glancing to the right, there was a porcupine making its way down the tree.  Someone made a movement from the other side of the creek and back it went, heading for those succulent buds at the top of the tree.

Eventually, it came down and went up a different tree later in the day. This was repeated twice more as evening drew in, each time going for those branches with the most buds. If the porcupine couldn't reach the buds located at the very end of the twigs, it would chew the branch through, grasp it and munch on the buds much like a child would lick a lollypop.

Every time I see a porcupine descend or ascend a tree, it's like the first time. I am in awe (no pun intended) of how careful but quick and agile porcupines are and how they magically disappear into the underbrush once they have reached ground. Those straw coloured quills provide tremendous camouflage. 

Rather than just take full body shots of this particular porcupine of its descending, ascending, etc.,  I was close enough with the long lens at maximum to take head or partial body shots.  And with close-ups, you really get to see in detail the porcupine's features, head & body. 

And I definitely think, this porcupine in particular, has the "aw factor".

PHOTO #1 - "DO PORCUPINES HAVE LIPS???"

PHOTO #2 - "THEY DEFINITELY HAVE WHISKERS"

PHOTO #3 - "AND NOSTRILS - ALL THE BETTER TO SCENT YOU WITH!!"

PHOTO #4 - "AND QUILLS IN THEIR EARS, AS WELL" - I NEVER NOTICED THIS BEFORE

PHOTO #5 - "PADS ON THEIR FEET THAT REMIND ME OF THE GRIPPY SOLES OF COMFY SLIPPERS"

PHOTO #6 - "LONGISH LEGS SO BETTER TO CLIMB WITH"

PHOTO #7 - "THE AW FACTOR!" :)