It has been quite awhile since I have encountered a porcupine. This guy just happened to be right in the middle of the path I was taking looking for wildflowers just west of Mackinac City in Northern Michigan. It was a morning when I wanted to hike light and simply went out with my 200 mm macro lens only. I suppose it was bound to happen. Whenever I have everything with me, it is rare that I have such encounters. I think it is the same law that makes something happen as soon as you close the zipper on your camera bag after packing things up.
Porcupine Munchin'
I think everyone would agree that a 200 mm macro lens is not the best suited lens for porcupines. I could just imagine having to explain to the Urgent Care nurse why I ended up with quills lodged in my face. My car wasn’t too far back on the trail where I had my 200-400 and teleconverters, which I was wishing for by my side. I should have paid more attention to how Luke Skywalker used the Force to get that light saber from afar into his hands. Come to think of it, the Force would be quite handy when it comes to nature photography. You could will a wildflower to stop blowing in the wind, keep all the heavy lenses in your car, or use mind control on that grizzly bear… “You don’t really want to eat me.” I suppose I am getting off track.
Anyway, this porcupine seemed to be pretty focused on nibbling these plants that were along the sides of this trail. There were plenty of plants, and this guy seemed intent on eating every last one of them. I had some time to walk back to the car and retrieve the proper lens to photograph him. (her?). Sure enough, I returned – he looked a little fatter, but I got a few images.
Apparently, what the pocupine lacks in good looks it makes up for in appetite and patience. Those were evidently espcially yummy plants.
I’m convinced that long telephoto lenses send out special rays that send wild critters in the opposite direction. By the way, if you work out that thing with the Force, please do share.
Thanks Lana, Anita, Amber. For sure, if that thing with the Force works out, you will all be invited to my Force for Photographers workshop.
A very sweet shot, hon. I’ve never come across a porcupine in the wild–which may be a GOOD thing. *L* As for the Force, wouldn’t THAT be nice!
What an endearing photograph. He must have felt okay with you coming and going, which means you were either very quiet or he was way too hungry for his own good. Unfortunately about 10 years ago the Forest Service here in the Plumas National Forest in Northeastern California decided that Porcupines were bad for trees, which they are not. They put out a notice for everyone to kill porcupines and between the official and unofficial hunting and shooting, they are all gone, eradicated. It is always good to see one of my quilled friends. They were friends except when they got into the apple trees or when my childhood dog chased them once in a while. My father used to hold her and slowly pull out each quill. She was patient with the process, but howled forlornly the whole time.
Thanks for sharing that story David. I have also heard the rap about them destroying trees, but don’t know exactly what their impacts have been in Northern Michigan. I’ll have to add that to my things to research list which seems to grow every day! 🙂 I do wish dogs were a bit more knowledgeable about the critters they want to chase! Fortunately we have never had the dog/porcupine experience, but plenty with dog/skunks!
Thanks for visiting Amber and Monte. I am glad you liked this one.
When it comes to food some of us seem to hang around a little longer than normal and get fatter. 🙂 This image has great detail and love the green color as it really pops for me. This reminds me of Earls photos of the alligators. The wide angles lens just doesn’t work well for most wildlife. And, i’ve always been a believer to keep the distance and not intrude into their space.
Same here Monte. The porcupine for the most part did not seem to notice me being there much. Except he did end up walking closer to me, and as if he was nearsighted, suddenly realized he was being watched and flared up the quills on his back – but then kept eating.
This sure gave me a smile this morning. A porcupine!! Wow, cool!!! He’s so cute and awesome. Glad you were able to get the right lens to photograph him 🙂
In that situation I’d be a little leery of using the force myself — it would likely backfire on me. Either the porcupine would vanish, my lens would vanish, or I’d end up with a face full of quills anyway. Great shot.
Thanks PJ. That’s why we need Yoda!
Mark, On the lens thing, perhaps a case of half-full or half-empty — you could of had an ultra-wide lens mounted planning wide angle landscape shots. Then it would of been “Bye-Bye Porcupine” for sure.
Plus there’s that Murphy’s Law clause which states that if you had your 200-400 lens mounted, you never would of seen the porcupine in the first place. That one always catches me.
As a good photographer you made do and got a decent photo and story out of it with no visits to the hospital. Not a bad chance encounter in my book. 😉
I think you are quite right Earl. If I had the zoom with me, no chance he would be around. I generally think it is a wildlife conspiracy. Any photo not resulting in trips to the hospital has to be worth something eh? 🙂