• Friday-What'sUP August 22 - 02:20 pm

You just never know who you'll run into on a venture into the woodlands here UP North. By the looks of the top photo by Frederic W. Koski, you best be careful or you just might get yourself a nose full of quills in the process. I'm continually amazed at the photos we're privileged to use each day on our webpage and this one is a perfect example of some amazing photography skills that are shared with us, too. Getting up close and personal with a prickly looking porcupine and getting off a shot like this takes some great patience waiting for that perfect moment to snap the photo. Way to go, Frederic!

As an added bonus, I found a photo in Stanley Spruce's Gallery Album, that shows us one of these same critters stopping traffic as it goes on it's merry way across the highway. Brings to mind that age old question: Why did the porcupine cross the road? :->

The first picture looks like the porcupine is playing peek a boo. LOL

We have been taking pictures of a family of swans. We go out to Belle Isle once a week to take pictures of them. They started out with 6 little ones, but a couple of weeks ago we noticed there are only 5 now. A couple of times the father swan almost attacked Bill. I told Bill to just throw him the bread. The swan started honking and raising his wings at Bill. I could not get a picture because it scared me a bit. It is fun to see how big they are getting.

WOW...that is a STELLAR picture....WOW!!! Way to go Frederic! AMAZING stuff!

Looks like the porcupine is having a bad hair day. ;O)

Aw, The cutest pic of a pokey porcy I have ever seen! Fred always has good stuff!
What an awesome photographer!

Fred, that picture is the best! I'm going to remember it when I read a book called "Poppy" with my class this year. One of the main characters is a porcupine. I know the kids would get a real thrill seeing your photo. Fabulous shot!

Awww...what a cute cuddly little guy. I just want to give him a nice big hu... #&%* "OUCH"!

Boy, did I need that first shot this Friday morning! How cute is that?

By the way, I know why the porcupine crossed the road, but what's "the point" :)

Nice pic.... every one in my office looks at my desktop with it and says... Awwwwwww

LOVE it, period, kaput! Thanks, Fred!

Man, that first shot is spectacular! The light and color are a thing to behold. Fabulous!

They are cute, cuddly not so much...

What is Belle Isle like these days? It was the fun place to go in the 1940-50s but then became a somewhat dangerous place.

LOL Alex! And the photo is just awesome Fred! It makes my day to see the wonderful pics when I open up the pasty cam every morning! Thanks to all of the pasty photographers!

And happy Friday to all -- have a great weekend!

TO TOM;

I will say there was a time I would not go out there, but the city of Detroit really cleaned it up a lot. People are out jogging and riding bikes all around the island, families have BBQ'S and family reunions. We go out there early on a Saturday or Sunday morning. I personally, would not go out there on a Friday or Saturday night. The young people are having their fun, but NO arrests or problems.

They put in new bathrooms, the fountain still works great. The only thing I do not like is that they shut the aquarium. The place with all the flowers is still there to walk through. They have done alot to bring Belle Isle back.

When the Indie Racecar circuit came back to Belle Isle, Mr. Penskie put a lot of his own money into the island. A realty show was even recently filmed on belle isle. We use to watch them film it.

I am 54 yrs. old and remember Belle Isle. The pony carriage rides and that big pavillion by the aquarium you could buy hot dogs and other things to eat and sit in there and eat. Then there was the canoe rental place which is gone now. I enjoy going out there. ;O)

Do you know how a porcupine makes love? Real careful.

I watched a porcupine try to swim across Piers Gorge this week. He ended up swimming through the rapids.....