{"id":6962,"date":"2016-02-01T09:03:56","date_gmt":"2016-02-01T14:03:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=6962"},"modified":"2016-02-01T09:59:00","modified_gmt":"2016-02-01T14:59:00","slug":"take-5-porcupine-portraits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-porcupine-portraits\/","title":{"rendered":"Take 5: Porcupine Portraits"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.\u00a0While these quills\u00a0may scare off most predators, the fisher\u2014our largest weasel\u2014isn’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.\u00a0Here are five photos captured by past participants in our Photo Contest<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"2014

2014 Photo Contest Entry \u00a9 Kim McNeil<\/p><\/div>\n

\"2011

2011 Photo Contest Entry \u00a9 Chris Ruggiero<\/p><\/div>\n

\"2010

2010 Photo Contest Entry \u00a9 Flickr user foothills732<\/p><\/div>\n

\"2014

2014 Photo Contest Entry \u00a9 Lisa Strout<\/p><\/div>\n

\"2011

2011 Photo Contest Entry \u00a9 Daniel Finnerty<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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.\u00a0While these quills\u00a0may scare off most predators, the fisher\u2014our largest weasel\u2014isn’t deterred: it’s one of the few mammals that preys on the porcupine. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":40,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[158],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6962","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-take-5"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-1Oi","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":11634,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/last-chance-to-enter-your-photos\/","url_meta":{"origin":6962,"position":0},"title":"Last Chance to Enter Your Photos!","author":"Hillary T.","date":"September 19, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"A hummingbird in flight \u2022 birdwatchers at dusk\u00a0\u2022 a sleepy porcupine \u2022\u00a0 a sandy mushroom These are just a few of the photos that entranced the judges last year\u2014and they can't wait to see want you have in store for this year's contest. If you have photographs taken in Massachusetts\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Get Involved"","block_context":{"text":"Get Involved","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/get-involved\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Birdwatchers at dusk \u00a9 Alan Nelson","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/09\/PeopleOverAlan_Nelson18278_750.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/09\/PeopleOverAlan_Nelson18278_750.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/09\/PeopleOverAlan_Nelson18278_750.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/09\/PeopleOverAlan_Nelson18278_750.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8303,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/the-truth-about-porcupine-projectiles\/","url_meta":{"origin":6962,"position":1},"title":"The Truth About Porcupine Projectiles","author":"Ryan D.","date":"October 18, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Pop Quiz: How far can a porcupine shoot its quills? The Answer: Trick Question! A rumor has been floating around for centuries that porcupines can fling their quills at enemies. The truth is a different story. Porcupines are solitary, slow-moving animals that largely keep to themselves\u00a0unless threatened. The quills usually\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/10\/Lisa_Strout_640.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/10\/Lisa_Strout_640.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/10\/Lisa_Strout_640.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13563,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/my-funny-nature-valentines-2020\/","url_meta":{"origin":6962,"position":2},"title":"My Funny {Nature} Valentine’s 2020","author":"Ryan D.","date":"February 12, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Happy Valentine\u2019s Day from Mass Audubon! Show your nature-loving sweetheart how much you care with one of these \"punny\" nature valentines\u2014or better yet,\u00a0consider making a donation\u00a0in honor of your special someone and share some love for our mission to protect the nature of Massachusetts, too. To see even more options,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Stuff We Love"","block_context":{"text":"Stuff We Love","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/stuff-we-love\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"American Black Bear \u00a9 Dorrie Holmes","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/4550Dorrie_Holmes20115_fi.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/4550Dorrie_Holmes20115_fi.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/4550Dorrie_Holmes20115_fi.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/02\/4550Dorrie_Holmes20115_fi.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1703,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/have-you-hugged-a-hemlock-lately\/","url_meta":{"origin":6962,"position":3},"title":"Have You Hugged a Hemlock Lately?","author":"Kristin S.","date":"February 11, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Of all the evergreens in the winter woods, eastern hemlocks are the friendliest. During the short, dark days of winter\u2014when we are tempted to stay inside our heated spaces\u2014the hemlock calls us to come out and play. Treasured Tree What makes the eastern hemlock so special to winter-weary humans? Its\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Richard Webb, Self-employed horticulurist, Bugwood.org","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/02\/5348087-PPT.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/02\/5348087-PPT.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/02\/5348087-PPT.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/02\/5348087-PPT.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10602,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-caption-this\/","url_meta":{"origin":6962,"position":4},"title":"Take 5: Caption This!","author":"Ryan D.","date":"February 26, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Let's play \"Caption That Photo\"! Below are five photos of animals making funny faces or poses, submitted to our annual Picture This: Your Great Outdoors photo contest. What hilarious captions can you come up with?","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/02\/3434Wayne_Wetherbee17375_fi.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/02\/3434Wayne_Wetherbee17375_fi.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/02\/3434Wayne_Wetherbee17375_fi.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1420,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/the-mighty-moose\/","url_meta":{"origin":6962,"position":5},"title":"The Mighty Moose","author":"Kristin S.","date":"February 5, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Earlier in the season, nature photographer and Mass Audubon volunteer extraordinaire, Richard Johnson, set out to photograph a moose that had been spotted at Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary in Princeton, Massachusetts. Waiting patiently from the safety of his car, telephoto lens ready, Richard snapped this photo when the moose appeared\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2012\/12\/MooseRichardJohnson_cropped.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6962","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/40"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6962"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6962\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6988,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6962\/revisions\/6988"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6962"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6962"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6962"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}