March 2026 SOLC–Day 30
A huge thank you to Two Writing Teachers for all that they do to create an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write, learn, share and grow.
http://www.twowritingteachers.org
Earlier this month (here), I caught a quick glimpse of an intruder of the mammal variety. Due to the dim light, I wasn’t sure if it was a raccoon or a porcupine. I saw it head into our defunct chicken coop and intended to check for tracks in the new fallen snow the next day. Like many things these days, I never did get around to that.
Fast forward to late yesterday morning. I was walking out to my car and happened to glance into the backyard. Aha!
It was a porcupine! But was it the same one, or not? Or was it perhaps a newly visiting porcupine? Might the earlier sighting have been of another porcupine or even a resident raccoon who liked chicken coops? Hmmmm….
I returned to the house to get my camera, hoping for a few zoomed in close ups. The porcupine was apparently content with some tender new green grass, so it remained in the same spot until I returned. Then it posed for a few portraits.
It’s pretty cute, isn’t it?
I moved a little closer in and it decided to move it on out. And where do you think it went?
It scrambled across the lawn and straight into the chicken coop.
Mystery solved!
Nix the comfort zone 
Great shots of the porcupine. It is quite cute!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sweet little face! But I was careful not to get too close!
LikeLike
Beautiful. I don’t get to see porcupines up close here in the ‘burbs. Our dogs had an encounter with one in the Adirondacks. They chased him down and regretted it. Forever after they cursed those “Adirondack squirrels.” Glad your mystery was solved in such a timely way here at the close of the month.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was good timing and landed in my life like a gift wrapped slice!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awww, he is so cute! I feel a little bad for the little fella who will never know the joy of a hug and the sweetness of cuddling and being held. Sweet little face!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think there might be a picture book out there along those lines!
LikeLike
I have seen a lot of animals but never a porcupine. Glad you solved your mystery and got close enough for some good pictures!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s not unusual to see them here. I’ve even seen them up in trees, though only once or twice. Thank goodness for a Zoom on my camera.
LikeLike
Great photos, Molly, and he is a cutie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve heard they can be quite destructive, but I’m happy to hand over the decrepit coop. I’m secretly hoping there will be some babies around!
LikeLike
With chickens I know you don’t want him around, but he sure is cute! Great photos.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We no longer have chickens, so we’ve ceded the coop to the porcupine. We’ll see if it remains.
LikeLike
Great mystery story. Well told. I thought it might be a skunk. We have raccoon stories and skunk stories but no porcupine stories. You pictures are great.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have quite a few skunk and raccoon stories, too!
LikeLike
I’ve never seen a porcupine in real life. How cool! So glad she let you come close enough to snap these pictures. Great shots by the way! Glad you solved the mystery. ☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
I figured I’d never know, since I forgot to check the tracks. It’s been out in the yard several times now.
LikeLike
OMG, cuteness overload! I love that it just waited for you to get your camera so you could get your shots AND solve the mystery. A satisfying slice!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was very happy that it hung around!
LikeLike
Ah, I love that you took his portrait. It’s a beautiful creature. I’m sure he is delighted to have the defunct chicken coop as his home.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s not deluxe accommodations for sure!
LikeLiked by 1 person
And I thought it was Rocky Raccoon all along. I will not be so easily fooled next time!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I suspected a raccoon as well. Last year we saw a possum a few times and we’re hoping it’s still hanging around somewhere…
LikeLike