Look who's hanging out in my neighborhood. She's such a cutey -- slow, calm, unworried, unhurried. She waddles across the lot, climbs the tree, munches out on the bark and needles of the Sitka spruce. If they are careful, she will tolerate friendly dogs and cats. If not, she just turns her back on them and twitches her skin so the quills are loose; if someone tries to bite her, they regret it. She hadn't an effective enemy in the world until man moved here. We can hurt her on purpose, often just with a rock or stick, and by accident, with a car. Like other animals with excellent protection, turtles and skunks and armadillos and such, she never tries to run away. Not good when it is a car coming. However, she likes being in trees, so she mostly stays off roads. If I spot her, I can watch her for a long time because she doesn't ever think she needs to get away. And, like other animals with excellent protection (except the skunk, who hunts), she has little use for brains and hasn't really developed much in that field.
Friday, January 12, 2007
My Neighbor
Look who's hanging out in my neighborhood. She's such a cutey -- slow, calm, unworried, unhurried. She waddles across the lot, climbs the tree, munches out on the bark and needles of the Sitka spruce. If they are careful, she will tolerate friendly dogs and cats. If not, she just turns her back on them and twitches her skin so the quills are loose; if someone tries to bite her, they regret it. She hadn't an effective enemy in the world until man moved here. We can hurt her on purpose, often just with a rock or stick, and by accident, with a car. Like other animals with excellent protection, turtles and skunks and armadillos and such, she never tries to run away. Not good when it is a car coming. However, she likes being in trees, so she mostly stays off roads. If I spot her, I can watch her for a long time because she doesn't ever think she needs to get away. And, like other animals with excellent protection (except the skunk, who hunts), she has little use for brains and hasn't really developed much in that field.
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5 comments:
You definitely have a fun existence. I can't imagine looking out my window and finding that little creature there. Have you seen him (her) raise her quills yet?
She sure is a cutie! I love seeing photos of your wildlife - and family, too, of course. But, I'm not likely to come across a porcupine on any given day. lol
I have never seen one in the flesh, but I'd know to keep my distance.
Yes, I have seen her raise her quills. I've also seen her waddle slowly across the parking lot while two cars and a truck waited patiently for her to get where she was going.
She doesn't throw quills, despite the rumors. But you wouldn't want to pet her. Well, you might want to, but don't.
I love being able to observe wildlife at leisure. Pretty ordinary types are all that have wandered into my backyard i.e opossums, skunks, racoons, etc. You're fortunate to have a much larger variety.
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