My Outdoor Wednesday is also my question of the week. Can you guess what this little creature is? I saw him climbing up a tree in our front yard. I did a double take since I'm used to seeing squirrels but not something this size. I seem to be a wildlife magnet this summer. I have seen multitudes of deer, a bear, (twice), a badger, (yikes) an owl, a fox, partridge, pheasants, wild turkey and now this climbing up a tree in our front yard!
Have you figured it out? Pics aren't as clear as I'de like but since hubby and I were
arguing debating an issue regarding how likely it is he might be aggressive, we kept our distance.
Here he is scampering across our yard! Figured it out? He's a porcupine and we have since learned he can shoot quills from his tail! That's the point my hubby and I were
arguing debating! Neither one of us knew that porcupines climbed trees! I guess you learn something new every day.
On a different note I wanted to show you some pics of my ornamental cabbage. I just love them! I want to do something with them (decorating wise) just not sure what. Does anyone have ideas or used them in their fall decorating? Give me your ideas? Now be sure to visit our lovely hostess Susan @
http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/ for some lovely Outdoor Posts! Cindy
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Oh that is SOOOOO cool! I've never seen a porcupine in the wild - - - or I guess since it's your yard, the semi-wild! Hehehehehehe
ReplyDeleteLived here with the critters all my life and in blogs I have learned that groundhog and porcupines are tree climbers. Who knew? Wander if my skunks can climb? Nature never seizes to amaze me. Usually it doesn't take much. LOL! Have one blessed evening!!!
ReplyDeleteI love it, Cindy! I've never seen a porcupine up close and personal!!
ReplyDeleteI love the ornamental cabbage!
To my #1 follower...
ReplyDelete:)
Oh my goodness, Cindy! A porcupine, really? I think I would freak out if I saw that! Yet I would LOVE it at the same time and so would my boys. I love living in a place where we can see wild animals too. But I've never seen a porcupine!! Thanks for sharing, it made me smile!
I'm at the hospital right now with my mom. I'll be posting about it tonight to give everyone a update.
Blessings,
Traci
NEAT! We don't have those here in Nebraska...'cept the zoo!
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen one of those in a long time! I think that it is an old wives tale that Porcupines can shoot their quills from their tail or any other part of their bodies. I do know that if a dog get hold of them it is real trouble because the quills just go one way..but that is another thing that should be checked out. Our dogs used to get them in their noses and it was terribly painful for them. Infections and such can follow I believe.
ReplyDeleteAnyway..what a treat to see one so up close and personal! :):) I loved it! I miss living in the country SO much..but I think I have said that before! Great Outdoor Wednesday post and your cabbages are just beautiful, Cindy!!
A wild porcupine! Never even seen a "captured" one before. Where do you live?
ReplyDeleteHi Cindy! I have never seen a porcupine outside of the zoo! How fun is that!! You do have a lot of interesting critters at your house! Happy week!...Debbie
ReplyDeleteHoly cow! I never saw a porcupine...amazing!!!
ReplyDeleteProbably wanted some of my apples..:)
Now that is a first! I havent seen a porky anwhere bu tthe zoo! Cool! At first I thought it was a stuffed animal webkin!
ReplyDeleteYep! You have a porcupine there! :-)
ReplyDeleteI guessed it correctly! WHOO HOOOO for a city girl from So CAL!!!
ReplyDeleteBut I DID NOT know they climbed trees! Holy cow!
Cute post!
Cindy that's our little Clyde. We had one here last summer, in our tree. I did a post on him also. He was adorable. All the dogs were around and he didn't throw one quill. Love it
ReplyDeleteHappy OW
Love Claudie
xox
Thanks for the comments you left on my blog. I just love the new pics on the top of your blog. Not sure what to do with the cabbage roses, but they are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWillow
Hi Girlfriend...
ReplyDeleteOMG...a tree climbin' porcupine! I've never heard of such a thing! In fact, Russell was sitting here with me and just kept saying...Nah, that can't be a porcupine...they don't climb trees! Hehe! Guess he's a talented little fella...you've got the photos for proof!!! Girl, I do declare that you live in the wilderness...hehe! You have had more wild creatures roamin' around your place...it sure makes things interesting!!!
Ohhh...love your pretty ornamental cabbage! Hmmm...I'll put my thinkin' cap on...they sure would be pretty to decorate with!!! Wonder how long they would live or look good if you cut them? Have you tried one? Just curious!
Just wanted to tell you that I absolutely love your new header mosaic...it's gorgeous, my friend!!! How did you make that kind of a mosaic...did you use a specific program? The only mosaic program that I know of is the one at Big Huge Labs...they only offer a few styles. Well Darlin'...I just read your note that you left on my Autumn dishes...you always make me smile!!! So kind and generious with your compliments...I'm blushin', Girlfriend! Hehe! Thank you, sure do appreciate it!!! I'll talk with you later Sweetie!
Love ya,
Chari
Cindy, You ARE the wild animal attractor! I don't think I would've gotten too close, either. *grin*
ReplyDeleteYour cabbages would look great in a nice fall arrangement. Place it w/some colorful mums, and grasses. check out BH&G website under fall decorating and I think you'll see some.
:-) Sue
Ha! My guess was right! A porcupine! You have a wildlife santuary going on at your place! Must be the apples attracting them! LOL! Great pics of him or her! Love the ornamental cabbages. I agree with Sue...maybe in a nice fall arrangement, or core out a large pumpkin... real or faux and make a planter out of it with these planted inside of them! Then put a cute scarecrow popping out of the planter! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteCindy, I love seeing all of the critters you capture on film. It's like Wild Kingdom and so exciting! I never see anything that exotic here. Well, maybe birds and an occasional bear in the Ocala National Forest, but that porcupine is just TOO cute! However, I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of one of his quills! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI also love ornamental cabbages. Maybe you could group some with pumpkins for a nice look on the porch or on a table. I think they are NEAT!
Still on break, but I hope to be back soon.
XO,
Sheila :-)
Hi Cindy, Yikes! I knew what he was right away because I've seen them on tv but wow I can't imagine one in my backyard! That's so cool! If you've got a dog or cat be careful they don't get too close!
ReplyDeleteThe ornamental cabbage is beautiful. Around here we buy them as annuals. Did yours grow back from a previous planting or are they new plants?
Love your header!!!!! Hugs, Loretta
And here I thought I had an abundance of wild critters in my back yard! What fun! He would have made me a little nervous though. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteLiving it up at Lakewood,
Cindy
What great shots! I've seen porcupines back home in Texas, but never quite so close up. I think you're very brave to get near enough to take any photos at all!
ReplyDeleteCindy, great photos and info on the porcupines. I've never seen one in the wild. Can't wait to see what you do with your ornamental cabbages.
ReplyDeleteI was first guessing a woodchuck since he was up in a tree and he looks soft and fluffy in these photo. But with those quills sticking out, he is a cutie porcupine. I love ornamental cabbage and kale but didn't get any planted this year. Your's are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteYour ornamental cabbage are so big and so pretty, Cindy. Yu can orobably use them for a centerpiece. But that porcupine...scary!!...Christine
ReplyDeleteCindy, We have lots of wildlife where I live, too, but hopefully not a porcupine! And I love your ornamental cabbages. Hugs from another Cindy, Cindy S.
ReplyDeleteHey Girlfriend...
ReplyDeleteJust read your note...thanks so much for letting me know about Picasa. I have heard of it...just never checked it out! Yes...it's that "scattered" mosaic look that I was wondering about...I really like how that looks!!! I'll check into it!
Gosh darnit, Girlfriend...so sorry that you have to go into work today! Don't you just hate when that happens! Hehe! Seriously, I have been home for nearly two years now...I'm such a bum! It would just kill me if I had to go back to work now! Well Darlin'...have a great day!!! Don't work to hard!!!
Love ya,
Chari
I actually made the correct guess but only after I saw the snout. Your photos are wonderful. I hope you are having a wonderful day.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea they could climb trees!! Wow!! Thanks for sharing that!! Your ornamental cabbage looks wonderful!! ;)
ReplyDeleteMy first thought was he was a porcupine, although I've never seen one up close. Wow!
ReplyDeleteYour ornamental cabbage is beautiful! I actually used some ornamental cabbage in my harvest basket project for today's Outdoor Wednesday. If you want to take a look, here's the link: http://frugalfineliving.blogspot.com/2009/09/harvest-basket.html.
Jane
Hey Girlfriend...
ReplyDeleteJust found a site that had a pretty Autumn basket done with an ornamental cabbage...thought you might like to take a peek...maybe you can do something like that with it!!!
Here's the link...
http://frugalfineliving.blogspot.com/2009/09/harvest-basket.html
Love ya,
Chari
Cindy, I'm so glad you didn't get close enough for him to shoot quills at you! That is an amazing sight. Your yard just keeps giving you blog material with all of the creatures visiting! Love that ornamental cabbage. I forgot I have some in the yard. I need to go see if it has come back this year. Yours look beautiful, and I have no doubt that you will find wonderful things to do with them. laurie
ReplyDeleteExcept for his head he might pass for my cat!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Oh My Gosh Cindy,
ReplyDeleteNow a tree climbing porcupine just takes the cake. I didn't know they could climb, now I did know they can shoot those darn quills, but climb a tree? Nobody would have believed you if you hadn't had this picture for sure? He wasn't feeling threatened by you at all. Just mozzied right on off. Love the ornamental cabbage. I think I would orange it with some other Fall items in one of those apple baskets of yours. Thanks for sharing today. Country hugs sweetie, Sherry
hi Cindy! Oh, how cute! I've never seen a porcupine in person! I know I would have stayed my distance!
ReplyDeleteYour ornamental cabbages are so pretty!
Thanks for sharing my joyness with me!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Hi Cindy,
ReplyDeleteI have never seen one of those little creatures before except in books or TV - how interesting. Hope he leaves the area and doesn't bother any animals.
Love your cabbage - such a beautiful vegetable...oh the creations out there.
Karen
Well that's something you don't see everyday! I, too, did not know porcupines could climb trees. How wonderful that you were able to capture this guy on camera.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend.
Jane (artfully graced)
Well if that dont beat all (as the south would say). Not something we would see here in the city. What next? Sloth perhaps?
ReplyDeleteDo you get to have many apples? Seems the dear are having a buffet on them. I had 2 peach trees, Never had one peach, those pesky squirrels. Cant fight the animals.
What a cutie...but boy would he hurt if you got close. I didn't know pocupines were that color. He looks soft and fuzzy...wrong! LOL
ReplyDeleteOooh I love your little porcupine!... we used to get them all the time out at our little farm... they would sneak in and eat the petals off my roses... it really is just an old wives tale that they shoot their quills, they actually do not... usually a dog gets his nose full of them by putting it's face right in their quills, and they are like a fish hook on the end and get stuck in the dogs nose... they LOVE peaches, so when we needed to get them out of our yard, I would make a little trail of peaches out of the orchard and into the neighboring fields and off they would go... the babies are precious if you ever get a chance to see any!... xoxo Julie Marie
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