Foo - Animal encounters

Anyone have any funny/amazing animal encounters?
Here are some of mine
Camping in California-black bears wandering through site(scary but cool)
Attacked by a rabid raccoon in Michigan-wasn't bitten but scary as h#ll
Once saw a red tailed hawk swoop down on the roadside and grab a snake two feet away from me
Stood in the middle of a swarm of bats (on purpose) going out to hunt for the night in the Berkshires (MA)
A baby moose wandered into my backyard while I was living in Vermont.

Yeah, my lab/chow actually came once when I called him

A turkey vulture took off when I startled him by riding past, and he nearly flew right into me. I had to swerve.

On my ride last weekend a dog chased me, which wasn't extraordinary except that I never heard him coming until he was already right alongside me, growling and nipping at my feet. I didn't have time to pull the water bottle, so I outsprinted him. He stayed with me up to about 24 mph.

I need to find my schutzkatze pics. One's in slvoid's B-day thread.

A few years ago I was hanging out at a friends house in the backyard drinking by the fire. After hours of alcohol abuse, I began to realize that if I didnt go to bed that I was probally going to puke. So i got up and imediatetly I got the spins. I said my good byes and started on my walk home, which was only a few blocks away. I only got about three houses away when I thought I was going to puke. So, to fight it off I laid down. Coincidentally, it happened to be the home of a police chief from another town over. It was very late, probally like three in the morning. I just remember staring at the tree above me. I guess I passed out, and the sound of an airplane woke me up(we live very close to O'Hare). As the airplane passed, I watched it, and as the sound of the engines started to dissapate, I began to hear obsesive sniffing right next to my head. I was freaked out so I jumped up, and looked back to see an opposum(spelling) staring back at me poised to attack. I just walked away and looked back as he ran away. It was pretty messed up, even more so becasue of the condition I was in. Sorry for the long post, but if it wasnt long it would not have been in a clear context. In conclusion, dont get drunk and pass out in someones lawn!

Oh, on a somewhat related topic, when i was walking into my house the other night(yes, I was drinking) I saw what looked to be a body in my yard. I walked up and asked if he was ok. He didnt reply so I shook him adn he said "hey man, whats up?" I said 'are you all right?". he said he was cool. I asked if he wanted to use my cell and call someone or if he wanted some water. He said he was cool. So then I said "well, I was just asking because your sleeping on my lawn." he then goes "its ok, i just need five more minutes, then Ill get up for class." he must of been wasted in some dream about school. crazy kids.

Too many rattlers to count, scorpions too... Skunks, wild burros, javelinas, giant beetles, bee hives, big-horn sheep. I was hiking through an aspen grove when a bunch of elk came running through. If it wasn't for all of the fallen trees, I could easily have been trampled. Bobcats, coyotes... Maybe I spend too much time in the hills.

The craziest one happened this last may. I was out riding trails(DH)with my cousin in a fairly remote area. He was riding point when I had a bad crash. He didn't hear me yell and kept going. I was pretty resigned to just lay in the trail until the pain stopped but I heard something coming quickly down the trail towards me. Cool, I thought, more riders, I may need some help. At the same time, I was laying on my face in the middle of the trail and I didn't want to get run over, so I raise my head and look up. Now, this all happened pretty fast. From when I crashed to when I raised my head was just a matter of seconds. When I looked up, it was a mountain lion, and it had been moving quickly towards me until I looked up. Now it was just standing there, very close. I was on my feet pretty quickly. I've seen these cats before, but rarely, and at a distance, and they always run away. When I jumped up, it just stood there and my stomach dropped. It didn't seem very impressed with me, so I yelled and cussed at it and it took off into the bushes next to the trail. It didn't go far though, so I kept yelling and threw some rocks at it, but it stayed put. I was feeling pretty lonely at this point. The cat was probably in the same weight class as me, but it is for all intents and purposes a professional killer and I work in an office. I was also feeling pain again. I picked up my bike(thankfully undamaged)and start walking backwards down the trail keeping an eye on kitty with a big stick in my hands. When I had some distance and a good straight shot on the trail, I jumped on and took off.

I was moving fast, but considering how my last spill ended up, I was probably riding a little conservatively. I ran into my cousin a few hundred yards down the trail & started spitting out my story. He was looking at me like 'yeah right' when his face changed and he pointed behind me. It had followed me down the trail. When it saw both of us it walked off the side of the trail and disappeared. We didn't see it for the rest of the ride, but my mind wasn't exactly focused on the trail and I crashed a couple more times, each time jumping up immediately and looking for lions.

It has given me a great way to look on the bright side of things, "I burnt my bagel... Oh, but I didn't get eaten!".
I've never seen a bear though. ???

I went for a mountain bike ride last night and as I rounded a sharp curve I saw a HUGE bird take off from the ground. It startled me so I slammed my brakes. I could hear the wind from it's wings it was so close. Lucky for me it landed in a tree about 10 feet from me, turned around and I was fortunate enough to stare a red tail hawk in the eyes for what seemed like 10 minutes (probably a lot closer to 30 seconds, but still hella cool).

When I looked up, it was a mountain lion, and it had been moving quickly towards me until I looked up.

That reminds me of the mountain biker in California a year ago or so, who was attacked and dragged off while biking. Sounds like kitty saw a good opportunity to take out an injured member of the herd. :D

Yeah, rattlers and coyotes and javelinas. Down in the Chiricahuas, I saw a pack of maybe 25 coatis, big and small. And climbing up a gully, I got buzzed by an owl that I spooked.

Two critters encountered on today's ride.

http://forum.bikemag.com/photopost/data/500/2022P8040025-med.JPG
http://forum.bikemag.com/photopost/data/500/2022P8040029-med.JPG

To give you an idea of how mountain lions operate, a few years ago in Arizona a guy was camping with his kids in one of the parks, close in, like near the parking lot, not out in the boonies at all. While he had his back turned, a mountain lion grabbed his baby daughter and started to carry her off. The guy yelled and threw stuff etc., and the lion dropped the kid and the guy called the rangers, kid had to go to the hosp. and all that. Well, it was getting to be dusk, and sure enough the lion came back, was ready for another try. The ranger shot the lion dead center chest, which is awfully good shooting with a pistol in low light conditions. A racewalker friend of mine in Colorado used to get followed by lions all the time, but he figured he was too old and tough for them lol. And I remember not too long ago, a woman on a bike was attacked by a lion, other bikers chased it off and in that area they found the remains of another missing biker, a guy, partially eaten.

Isn't Nature wonderful? Sometimes, you're prey.

I guess if I had one of those things sizing me up I'd throw rocks, tag 'im good and he might think twice.

I was attacked by a mouse....yes...a mouse...let me explain.

Ok I was mowing the lawn when the mower runs out of gas. So I get up and see the grass rustle a bit in front of the mower. I walk over there and see a little field mouse. This mouse was about to change my life forever on what I think about mice. So I just decide to be an ******* and prod it with my shoe lightly. Big mistake, I poked it once with my shoe and it got P.Oed at me. It started jumping at me and sqeaking, so I took a step back and it bounced right after me. It stopped eventually. I am a stupid teenager so I went back to it and prodded it with my shoe, again. Only this time it got onto my shoe and was up my leg like a shot. That was the only time in my life I shrieked like a women. I freaked out and kicked my leg wildly, it looked like I had a killer cramp. So the mouse flies off my leg and lands on the ground. I stomp the ground to scare it off and it ran away....the sweet taste of victory..

Two critters encountered on today's ride.

Ha! That chipmunk is friggin cute!

So, I was out on a trail that passes through a small field of wheat or tall grass or whatever it was. This 'grass' is about 5' and I'm 5'8". Stop to take a short break and I hear a loud scratching from the other side of the field I look across and there's a big brown blob shooting a few feet up from the top of the grass. I get on my toes to get a closer look and then it lowers. So, I lower too. Then I pop up to see if it's still there, but it's not. Then a second later, it pops up again! Yea, that's a big bear playing peekaboo with me :D Suffice it to say, I didn't go any further down that trail.

Another time, I was out walking my dog and we came to the entrance to yet another field. We're just moving along and my dog's ears perk. Then here comes the loudest roar you could imagine. It actually shook me and I got goosebumps all down my body. I look out into the field by the woods edge and there is a humongous bear standing there, pawing the air. My dog freaked out and started pulling on the leash and we were off... in the opposite direction :o

Ha! That chipmunk is friggin cute!

Yeah, he was one of four cheeky little buggers. Very curious little guy. My husband and I were making our yearly ride out to Kananaskis Fire Lookout to visit the woman who works there. About 1/4 of the way into the ride, my hubby stops and is pointing to what looked like a massive brown horse. When I looked closer I realized it was a bull moose. I was able to move forward enough to get that shot. He was totally unconcerned we were there. Kinda looked at me and then moved off down the trail. We waited until he eventually decided to let us pass! The chipmunks are residents at the Lookout.

The pic of the moose rocks. Wow, totally love living in Colorado.

My sister has been humped by a dolphin.

A domesticated baby raccoon climbed up me and peed down the back of my neck.

He was totally unconcerned we were there.

I bet he was thinking, "Go ahead, make my day!" :D

Another:

I was coming back from a nature walk one day and had to cross the soccer fields to get home. So I'm walking along and look up to see a chubby goaltender sitting right up on the bar! I walked right up to him, close enough to see how big his talons were, and took the shot. I just sat and stared for a bit while he ignored me. Eventually, he got bored and flew away. That was the closest I've ever been to a wild bird that big.

The fattest red-tailed hawk you'll ever see.
http://www.naputi.com/rth.jpg

I've had more close encounters with Deer, Elk, Snakes (rattlers) and Big Horn Sheep than I have with cars.

My favorite was a 4' black bear only 100'. Stood watching him watching me for a couple of minutes before he got bored and wandered away. Didn't have my camera :(

Most pics I have are of land... dang things run away RIGHT BEFORE I push the button.

Here's a cute one of a little guy with the munchies...
http://yourplanner.cc/steve/th/HL9.jpg (http://yourplanner.cc/steve/HL9.jpg)

Here's a cute one of a little guy with the munchies...
http://yourplanner.cc/steve/th/HL9.jpg (http://yourplanner.cc/steve/HL9.jpg)

Yea! More chipmunks... hey, where's Theodore?

I bet he was thinking, "Go ahead, make my day!" :D

I think it was more like, I was here first. Whatcha gonna do about it? :lol:

http://forum.bikemag.com/photopost/data/500/2022P8040026-med.JPG

LOL great stories!!!

a couple I can remember of mine are.

I being from the midwest thought it would be fun to go work almond harvest in California for a season. Driving a tree shaker 16 hours a day 7 days a week I found out it wasn't as fun as I had presumed it to be. Anyways there was lots of mice we'd catch them running out of the piles of almonds. and then one day we had one trapped between us. I see this one has a huge freakin long tail, as I bent over to take a closer look, it jumped about waist high!!!! Well with me leaning over it was inches from my face!!!! I guess it was a Kangaroo rat!! looked like a field mouse to me but Scared the living Jabebus out of me!!!!!


Then later back home here in Ohio, (yeah some of us hate ground hogs, because they can eat acres of soybeans and cut into profits) I saw one not to far out in the field with me between him and his home. Not having the rifle nearby, I ran out there and was going to kill him (with my boots I guess). Well he saw me coming and made a few quick darts and was around me and running for his home. Grrrrrr I took chase trying to run as fast as I could across uneven ground and in my clod hopping work boots. I was gaining on him !!!! but Wasn't going to beat him to the rock pile where his hole was. I took the chance with a couple long strides and then a sweeping kick that caught his back legs and sent his ass over the top of his head while running. Now with both of us off balance Him trying to scramble to his hole and me looking at hitting the rocks head first. I decided to use him as a soft landing. Guess I ticked him off pretty bad as he was trying to get his teeth through my steel toe boot lol. I'll spare you all the ending of that story but we didn't lose anymore soybeans after that :D

I am also sorry if I offended anybody with violence. But around here ground hogs are considered varmits and are open game year round.

You and me are both victims of mice attacks. Read my story. I was attacked by a mouse possesed by the devil




LOL great stories!!!

a couple I can remember of mine are.

I being from the midwest thought it would be fun to go work almond harvest in California for a season. Driving a tree shaker 16 hours a day 7 days a week I found out it wasn't as fun as I had presumed it to be. Anyways there was lots of mice we'd catch them running out of the piles of almonds. and then one day we had one trapped between us. I see this one has a huge freakin long tail, as I bent over to take a closer look, it jumped about waist high!!!! Well with me leaning over it was inches from my face!!!! I guess it was a Kangaroo rat!! looked like a field mouse to me but Scared the living Jabebus out of me!!!!!


Then later back home here in Ohio, (yeah some of us hate ground hogs, because they can eat acres of soybeans and cut into profits) I saw one not to far out in the field with me between him and his home. Not having the rifle nearby, I ran out there and was going to kill him (with my boots I guess). Well he saw me coming and made a few quick darts and was around me and running for his home. Grrrrrr I took chase trying to run as fast as I could across uneven ground and in my clod hopping work boots. I was gaining on him !!!! but Wasn't going to beat him to the rock pile where his hole was. I took the chance with a couple long strides and then a sweeping kick that caught his back legs and sent his ass over the top of his head while running. Now with both of us off balance Him trying to scramble to his hole and me looking at hitting the rocks head first. I decided to use him as a soft landing. Guess I ticked him off pretty bad as he was trying to get his teeth through my steel toe boot lol. I'll spare you all the ending of that story but we didn't lose anymore soybeans after that :D

I am also sorry if I offended anybody with violence. But around here ground hogs are considered varmits and are open game year round.

You and me are both victims of mice attacks. Read my story. I was attacked by a mouse possesed by the devil


yeah that was funny!!! at least this thing I saw (really close up) wasn't possesed !! :lol:

http://www.nature.ca/notebooks/images/kangrat.gif

Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys ordii)

"In the wild they are solitary by nature and quite belligerent, frequently engaging in combat by leaping into the air and slashing at each other with their powerful hind feet. Against more deadly enemies, like rattlesnakes, they turn and vigorously kick sand into their faces.
When fleeing from danger, they use their powerful hind legs to cover the ground in a series of 2 m long hops in the manner of a kangaroo."

The above info found here (http://www.nature.ca/notebooks/english/kangarat.htm)

I had a marmot (kinda like a big groundhog) try to climb into my lap while I was resting on a boulder near Long's Peak, CO....it was supposed to be a wild animal....gotta go find the pic and figure out how to post it. :)

I had a studio down in the Keys about 8 years ago, and in the early eves I'd go swimming in the ocean off from my house.One eve I'm out swimming and heard and felt something come along side of me.......and I think, I'M DEAD, ITS A SHARK
It nudged me in the side and I realized it was a dolphin, so it starts chattering the way they do and I get my head back on my shoulders and continue swimming and it swims along side of me jumping out of the water and keeping along with me. When I was finished for the eve it followed me into shallow water and then It left.
For a couple o weeks it was there maybe every other nite and then it showed up ever nite.
I had to leave too work in calif for a few weeks and when I returned and went back into the water to swim it came back, nudged me and started giving me dolphin 'Whafoe", chattering like mad, as if where were you,? I missed the swimming.
WE swan together for a long time and then suddenly it was gone and I never saw it again.
A local game warden told me that as long as dolphins are around there won't be any sharks, as the dolphins butt the sharks with their noses and can kill them

Love the moose, the kangaroo rat, and the dolphin! Cool!

I once was on a moonlight walk and saw something moving in a tree. I got closer and found that it was a beautiful white barn owl entangled in kite strings, hanging upside-down. Every once and awhile it would flap its wings....clearly exhausted. I went back to my place, got a belt to use to help climb the tree, and a pair of scissors. I climbed up and cut the owl loose. I've never seen such an exquistite creature up close like that. The owl's eyes were closed and I was afraid it was dead because it fell to the ground. Then about 20 seconds later it flew off. Awesome!

Unfortunately, 7 days later I broke out in a rash that took about 3 months to clear. Evidently the brush under the tree was poisin oak.

I still think it was worth it.

Owls are such wonderful creatures, they are around my place and can be heard in the eves, and sometimes if I'm lucky I see them on the utility wires. I'd do anything to help a bird in trouble, they have so many enemies.
I was in Alaska sev years ago during the salmon run and saw an eagle swoop down and clamp his talons into a huge salmon and sank into the water, he couldn't lift the fish it was so heavy, and he couldn't get his talons free of the flesh. So my brother rushed into the creek and pulled the bird above water and pulled the fish off the talons.The bird made it back into the air, my brother brought the fish to the bank and, that eagle came back and ate it on the bank

AH HA!!!

I figured out the attatchment thing....I hope... :o

Here's "my" marmot - and this is without zoom. I was sitting on the boulder right in front of him. (or her?)

nice marmot