The Bug Geek

I went walkabout on the weekend in a woodlot near my property.  We have been getting SO MUCH SUNSHINE the past week or so, it’s getting me all antsy and stroll-y (even if it’s still rotten cold).  This woodlot is very lightly managed and has some old skidoo trails which make for very pleasant strolling in an otherwise densely forested area.  In the midst of a (mostly) cedar and white pine stand, on the west side of the skidoo trail, I came across what appeared to be the home turf of a porcupine.    I present the following evidence (click for full size image):

The animal had fed extensively on three white pine trees spaced about 5 meters apart; I found smatterings of damage on other trees, but these three were apparently the filet mignon of pines.   

How and when that school bus was driven into these dense woods is beyond my comprehension; but there it is.  The porcupine seems to think the bus is a pretty fantastic place to hang out.  I will be bringing a flashlight next time so I can have a better lookie-loo under the old wreck to see if anyone is home.