About Rise and Shine, Porcupine

If you've found your way here, chances are you already know what many people are just beginning to discover: porcupines are far more fascinating than they get credit for.

Rise and Shine Porcupine was created to celebrate one of New England's most misunderstood wild neighbors through education, photography, storytelling, and a healthy dose of curiosity. Whether you're here to learn why porcupines climb trees, watch wildlife videos, browse field notes from the Berkshires, or simply appreciate their surprisingly charming personalities, you're in the right place.

This is a place for people who love wildlife—not because they want to own it, but because they want to better understand it.

My Journey

My name is Kristen, and I live in the Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts, where our home borders more than 60 acres of forest shared with porcupines, black bears, bobcats, coyotes, foxes, and countless other native species.

What began as simply observing the wildlife around our home slowly turned into something much bigger. The more time I spent watching porcupines on our wildlife cameras, the more I realized how misunderstood they are—and how much there is to learn simply by paying attention.

That curiosity eventually inspired me to pursue wildlife rehabilitation, with the goal of becoming licensed to care for injured and orphaned porcupines here in Massachusetts.

Rise and Shine Porcupine documents that journey—from building enclosures and learning from experienced rehabilitators to sharing the successes, setbacks, and lessons along the way.

What You'll Find Here

Whether you're visiting for five minutes or staying awhile, I hope you'll explore.

  • Learn & Explore — Educational articles about porcupine behavior, biology, habitat, and coexistence.
  • Behind the Scenes — Updates from my journey toward becoming a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
  • Just for Fun — Wildlife videos, downloadable activities, wallpapers, and other porcupine-inspired extras.
  • Field Notes — Seasonal observations, photography, and stories from life alongside wildlife in the Berkshires.

Our Philosophy

One of the greatest gifts wildlife offers is the opportunity to observe without interfering.

Every animal featured on this site deserves to remain wild. Rise and Shine Porcupine exists to encourage appreciation, understanding, and respectful coexistence. The hope is that by learning more about these remarkable animals, we'll become better neighbors to the wildlife that shares our forests, fields, and backyards.

Thanks for Stopping By

Whether you're here because you spotted your first porcupine, you're searching for answers about wildlife, or you're simply looking for a reason to smile, I'm glad you're here.