porcupine vs. human: day 1

sunrise:  5:28

I've been stubbornly wearing spring jackets with May in my mind, but I broke down and put my winter parka back on this morning, and a winter hat.  The grass was crunchy with frost.  I hope the two rose bushes I just planted are hardy enough to take it.  At least we got none of the snow that's been falling across western Maine, NH, VT and northern NY for the last two days.

 This red-winged blackbird is in the midst of his morning song.  You can see his opened beak if you look closely.

Resigned to porcupine eradication after yet another quill-filled trip to the vet, we have embarked upon our plan.

Dogs restricted, trap set under tree.

And porcupine happily ignoring it.

Here is how she first caught my eye - that distinctive round hummock at the crook of her regular branch:

Here's the tail end view.  She didn't even bother to turn around, such is her composure and assurance of safety.

We don't know where the baby is, haven't ever seen it - only its calling cards.

We tried salt laden lettuce in the trap, at the instruction of a local trapper.  I guess there's plenty of other food around, so why would a porcupine bother?

I did not immediately take the dogs out on their leashed walk after returning from my dogless sunrise stroll.  It was only 6:30 in the morning, after all.  I was loading my photos onto the computer when J came downstairs to a lake of dog pee on the kitchen floor.  This is not a great day so far.

Sigh.

But - the sun is out, and rising in the sky.