It's Bill, 5/4/25: Innkeeper VS Wildlife - Chapter 3: Quillback

Wildlife at West Quoddy Station

We’ve got a lot of wildlife stories, some better than others. This is one of my favorites, still puts a smile on my face. I did not witness it, probably good, which helps my imagination.

Nature and the Lighthouse Experience

Being on The Easternmost Point with West Quoddy Head Lighthouse, we have become a destination for many reasons. Lighthouse, Sunrise, Photography, Hiking, all with unspoiled Nature. Over 35,000 visitors a year. Guests usually ask “Where’s the lighthouse?” “Where the best place [or time] for the sunrise?” Inevitably, I tell them what I do. Besides hiking, I like to see the lighthouse just before the sun goes down. And, for sure, if there is a full moon, that’s a given.

A Surprise Visitor at Sunset

Well, about 10–12 years ago, I was having a good time with a guest, going over where to eat, things to do. He asked “Any suggestions?” “Sure,” I said, “Just go down to the lighthouse a bit before dark. Park looking at the lighthouse. Then you can go down the hill to find a spot for a great view and a photo.”

The next morning, he looked me up, with a big grin on his face. He said “I’ve got to thank you for your suggestion! I did exactly what you said. I went to the lighthouse with my wife, we sat in our car, nice, quiet, enjoying the view.” He paused, “Then, I got out, walked down the hill. My wife didn’t come along. I stood there a while, relaxing, thinking my wife should get out of the car and come join me.”

“Then, I thought, Good! Because I felt rubbing on my leg. Aha! So, I reached to give her a hug in return. Then I looked down, a porcupine was rubbing my leg.” “I froze. The porcupine slowly waddled off. I went back to my car and didn’t tell my wife.”

Quillbacks, Beavers… and Porcupettes

Porcupine identification isn’t as straightforward as you would think. Last year, a family stayed at The Captain’s Table, with a porched deck and a fine, elevated view. The mother called me over to share her good news. “My son just saw something special!” “What did you see?”, I asked.

The excited six-year-old chirped “I just saw a beaver!” “A beaver!” I said, “Where?” He pointed, where I saw a porcupine ambling down the hill. Quickly, and politely, I straightened them out.

My friends and I are still laughing. Partly, I guess, because it didn’t happen to us. By the way, porcupines are also called quillbacks. Baby porcupines are called porcupettes. Can’t know too much about porcupines.

When you think it’s your wife — but it’s a porcupine.