Take 5: Porcupine Portraits

The name “porcupine” comes from the Latin words for “pig” and “spiny,” but these unusual animals belong to the rodent family. Their famous spines are special modified hairs that are barbed and hollow. While these quills may scare off most predators, the fisher—our largest weasel—isn’t deterred: it’s one of the few mammals that preys on the porcupine. The North American porcupine is the only species of porcupine that makes its home in the U.S. Here are five photos captured by past participants in our Photo Contest.

2014 Photo Contest Entry © Kim McNeil

2014 Photo Contest Entry © Kim McNeil

2011 Photo Contest Entry © Chris Ruggiero

2011 Photo Contest Entry © Chris Ruggiero

2010 Photo Contest Entry © Flickr user foothills732

2010 Photo Contest Entry © Flickr user foothills732

2014 Photo Contest Entry © Lisa Strout

2014 Photo Contest Entry © Lisa Strout

2011 Photo Contest Entry © Daniel Finnerty

2011 Photo Contest Entry © Daniel Finnerty

Rocky Neck Art Colony Exhibition and Lecture Series

Final-For-The-Birds-Events-FlyerMass Audubon is pleased to partner with the Rocky Neck Art Colony for their extraordinary six-week exhibition “For the Birds.”

Juried by Amy Montague, the Director of the Museum of American Bird Art at Mass Audubon, the exhibition features multimedia artwork that celebrates the songs, vivid colors and enormous variety of bird species attracted to Cape Ann’s coastal waters, marshes, and waterways often bring with them both birding enthusiasts and artists, each drawn by their vibrant visual appeal.

The exhibition will include four special programs open to the public:

  • Opening Reception on Sunday, January 31 at 2 pm
  • John J. Audubon, His Life and Art talk by noted local author Chris Leahy, Bertrand Chair of Field Ornithology at Mass Audubon, on Thursday, February 11 at 7 pm
  • Beautiful Birds of Cape Ann talk by Kim Smith on February 18 at 7 pm
  • “The Artful Birdhouse,” an auction of original, artist-created birdhouses on Sunday February 21, at 1 pm

All of the events will take place at the Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street, Gloucester, MA.