I've been away for a few weeks, visiting the in-laws in Lithuania. The first few days, there's the requisite jet lag. One way to wake me up, though, is to find wildlife or something else for a photo op. So, on the first full day there, we were visiting my in-laws' summer house when they spotted a hedgehog in their garden. They gave me a pair of canvas mittens that were almost thick enough to protect my hands. We set the hedgehog out in the yard so that the kids could see it and I could photograph it.
Now, hedgehogs have a special place in my heart. First, when my wife & I were first dating, one of my nicknames was the Lithuanian word for hedgehog, because my then girlfriend wasn't fond of "cactus kisses" - aka, whiskers. The second reason is that I first remember hearing about hedgehogs and, likely, seeing a photo of one from my father when I was about my kids age. He was stationed in France with the US Army during the post-WWII occupation/reconstruction, and his barracks had a hedgehog as a pet/mascot.
So, that's my story. And, no wildlife were harmed taking this photo, although this little was ready to get back to her garden nibbling...
Tim!
Posted by Joel DeYoung on August 10, 2009 at 5:40 PM
lol, great story and interesting photo. "They gave me a pair of canvas mittens that were almost thick enough to protect my hands" - I've had a few gloves like that in my day
Glad you had a good time.
Posted by Toni Lankerd on August 11, 2009 at 10:14 AM
I've never seen a hedgehog in person, but for some reason, do have a special affinity for them. Thanks for posting and sharing this little guy. Nice to see you back again!
Discussion
5 repliesI've been away for a few weeks, visiting the in-laws in Lithuania. The first few days, there's the requisite jet lag. One way to wake me up, though, is to find wildlife or something else for a photo op. So, on the first full day there, we were visiting my in-laws' summer house when they spotted a hedgehog in their garden. They gave me a pair of canvas mittens that were almost thick enough to protect my hands. We set the hedgehog out in the yard so that the kids could see it and I could photograph it.
Now, hedgehogs have a special place in my heart. First, when my wife & I were first dating, one of my nicknames was the Lithuanian word for hedgehog, because my then girlfriend wasn't fond of "cactus kisses" - aka, whiskers. The second reason is that I first remember hearing about hedgehogs and, likely, seeing a photo of one from my father when I was about my kids age. He was stationed in France with the US Army during the post-WWII occupation/reconstruction, and his barracks had a hedgehog as a pet/mascot.
So, that's my story. And, no wildlife were harmed taking this photo, although this little was ready to get back to her garden nibbling...
Tim!
Glad you had a good time.