What Wildlife have you come across?
09-28-15, 06:30 PM
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,893
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1062 Post(s)
Liked 665 Times
in
421 Posts
When I lived in Texas, I was on a bike path, and a small armadillo came out of the bushes quicker than I could react. I hit my brakes, but still collided with it. The thing was completely un-injured, and skittered away.
09-28-15, 07:08 PM
#27
always rides with luggage
- Squirrels - one nearly got me today
- Hawks
- Turkey vultures - usually eating dead wildlife
- deer - all the time, they are all over this area
- turtles - I helped one up a curb once and he tried to pee on me
- geese - After helping the turtle up, I put him down and turned around to find an angry goose. But I see geese all the time.
- fox - just once
- groundhog - there is one in a neighborhood near a creek
- raccoons - caught some sneaking back into a storm drain once at Stanford
- Owl - just once
- Copperhead - Passed within inches of one, didn't recognize the pattern until too late
- Opossums - usually dead, not sure I've ever seen a live one
- Frogs
- skinks
- Hawks
- Turkey vultures - usually eating dead wildlife
- deer - all the time, they are all over this area
- turtles - I helped one up a curb once and he tried to pee on me
- geese - After helping the turtle up, I put him down and turned around to find an angry goose. But I see geese all the time.
- fox - just once
- groundhog - there is one in a neighborhood near a creek
- raccoons - caught some sneaking back into a storm drain once at Stanford
- Owl - just once
- Copperhead - Passed within inches of one, didn't recognize the pattern until too late
- Opossums - usually dead, not sure I've ever seen a live one
- Frogs
- skinks
__________________
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
09-28-15, 08:51 PM
#29
Pedaled too far.
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: La Petite Roche
Posts: 12,851
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
7 Posts
I used to have a commuting route that went through the Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve in San Diego. I raced a coyote down the road and surprised a bobcat who was about to kill a rabbit. The rabbit however, noticed that the bobcat had gotten distracted by me and got away. I also encountered mule deer, hummingbirds and skunks.
In college, there was an open field full of prairie dogs in their tunnels that I passed coming home from work.
One time I saw a bunch of kids trying to throw rocks at the top of a power pole and verbally shaming a kestrel for eating a rodent. I had to set the kids straight on kestrel diet and stopped them from throwing rocks.
Now, in Little Rock, riding along the river I've encountered deer, a large cat (not kitty, but more puma sized) and in flood conditions, ridden between the fish swimming above the bike path.
In college, there was an open field full of prairie dogs in their tunnels that I passed coming home from work.
One time I saw a bunch of kids trying to throw rocks at the top of a power pole and verbally shaming a kestrel for eating a rodent. I had to set the kids straight on kestrel diet and stopped them from throwing rocks.
Now, in Little Rock, riding along the river I've encountered deer, a large cat (not kitty, but more puma sized) and in flood conditions, ridden between the fish swimming above the bike path.
__________________
"He who serves all, best serves himself" Jack London
Last edited by Artkansas; 09-28-15 at 09:00 PM.
09-29-15, 06:31 AM
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Western Florida
Posts: 1,581
Bikes: 2017 Kona TI, 2016 Bike Friday Haul-A-Day, 2015 Bike Friday New World Tourist (for sale), 2011 Mezzo D9, 2004 Marin Mount Vision Pro - for now :)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 103 Post(s)
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
A manatee last week. Dolphins occasionally, and an otter once.
(not the greatest picture. a friend asked if it was a shark.)
(not the greatest picture. a friend asked if it was a shark.)
09-29-15, 06:48 AM
#31
Heck on Wheels
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: USA Midwest
Posts: 1,055
Bikes: In Signature
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 206 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
I'm in the suburbs, with lots of multi-use pathways. I routinely see deer, and the damn things are stupid and fearless.
__________________
"I had a great ride this morning, except for that part about winding up at work."
Bikes so far: 2011 Felt Z85, 80's Raleigh Sovereign (USA), 91 Bianchi Peregrine, 91 Austro-Daimler Pathfinder, 90's Trek 730 Multitrack, STOLEN: 80 Schwinn Voyageur (Japan)
"I had a great ride this morning, except for that part about winding up at work."
Bikes so far: 2011 Felt Z85, 80's Raleigh Sovereign (USA), 91 Bianchi Peregrine, 91 Austro-Daimler Pathfinder, 90's Trek 730 Multitrack, STOLEN: 80 Schwinn Voyageur (Japan)
09-29-15, 07:26 AM
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Phx, AZ
Posts: 2,116
Bikes: Trek Mtn Bike
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 282 Post(s)
Liked 2,644 Times
in
950 Posts
Here in central Phoenix we have different wildlife. Such as the Foul Mouthed Warbler, Yellow Bellied Bike Thrasher. 
09-29-15, 09:23 AM
#34
Heck on Wheels
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: USA Midwest
Posts: 1,055
Bikes: In Signature
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 206 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
This time of year, a bigger nature hazard are the Osage Oranges, black walnuts, and hickory nuts. You can dodge the Osage, but the squirrels seem to hide the walnut and hickory husks under leaves on the MUP.
__________________
"I had a great ride this morning, except for that part about winding up at work."
Bikes so far: 2011 Felt Z85, 80's Raleigh Sovereign (USA), 91 Bianchi Peregrine, 91 Austro-Daimler Pathfinder, 90's Trek 730 Multitrack, STOLEN: 80 Schwinn Voyageur (Japan)
"I had a great ride this morning, except for that part about winding up at work."
Bikes so far: 2011 Felt Z85, 80's Raleigh Sovereign (USA), 91 Bianchi Peregrine, 91 Austro-Daimler Pathfinder, 90's Trek 730 Multitrack, STOLEN: 80 Schwinn Voyageur (Japan)
09-29-15, 09:33 AM
#35
always rides with luggage
I have been harassed by some loose farm dogs well outside of town here. I was all ready to stop and pet them, too... and had to take off in a hurry when I realized they weren't friendly.
__________________
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
09-29-15, 09:47 AM
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 7,384
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 218 Times
in
171 Posts
What Wildlife have you come across?
I’m not particularly an animal lover, and the most exotic animal was a deer within the city limits in an urban neighborhood. I did have two memorable animal experiences though:
I’m not particularly an animal lover, and the most exotic animal was a deer within the city limits in an urban neighborhood. I did have two memorable animal experiences though:
One of my most heart-wrenching cycling experiences was when I saw a turtle in the road. I rode on by for several yards, not more than about 100, and decided to turn around and move it to the side of the road. Just then, a big tan SUV drove by and ran it over, smashing it to bits. I couldn’t be sure if it was deliberate, but the SUV tires went directly over the turtle.
I certainly learned the lesson, not to hesitate, or second-guess when thinking about a good deed (”We may never pass this way again”)…
I guess not. I even stopped once to help a skunk...and even cagers. 
...That incident happened on my morning cycle commute at least ten, or more years ago, and I posted about it on Bike Forums years ago (I joined in 2008). Not to mention the brand name, but the skunk had its head stuck in a yogurt cup with a wide bottom and narrow opening (the frustum of a cone). The skunk looked so pitiful, and surely would have wandered into the street. My recollection is that I jumped back as soon as the cup came off his head, and fortunately I was opposite the business end of the skunk. I don’t remember if it did spray.
I believe I did mention that a few years after that event I happened to have driven a car to work (I rarely do) and parked in the visitors parking lot. As I was leaving and stopped to pay the attendant, he told me he had witnessed my good deed while driving by years ago and let me pass for free.
I certainly learned the lesson, not to hesitate, or second-guess when thinking about a good deed (”We may never pass this way again”)…
@Jim from Boston I'm not the only one who stops to move turtles?!
...That incident happened on my morning cycle commute at least ten, or more years ago, and I posted about it on Bike Forums years ago (I joined in 2008). Not to mention the brand name, but the skunk had its head stuck in a yogurt cup with a wide bottom and narrow opening (the frustum of a cone). The skunk looked so pitiful, and surely would have wandered into the street. My recollection is that I jumped back as soon as the cup came off his head, and fortunately I was opposite the business end of the skunk. I don’t remember if it did spray.I believe I did mention that a few years after that event I happened to have driven a car to work (I rarely do) and parked in the visitors parking lot. As I was leaving and stopped to pay the attendant, he told me he had witnessed my good deed while driving by years ago and let me pass for free.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 09-29-15 at 09:50 AM.
09-29-15, 09:59 AM
#37
Senior Member
Things I have almost hit on my bike - fox, deer, flock of turkeys.
Things I have rescued off the road while riding - turtles (including snappers), an unconscious deer that got clipped by a car (thought it was dead but it came to while I was using my light to signal oncoming drivers of the hazard half in the road), loose dogs in 55 mph roads.
Routinely see lots of deer, turkeys, herons, and eagles (they come to the pond on our work campus to eat the plentiful carp). Once while riding a rail trail in PA saw a dude holding a pissed off rattlesnake. I asked him if he routinely caught them and he said "nope, first time" then tossed it on the ground right next to a packed trail on a busy labor day weekend!
Things I have rescued off the road while riding - turtles (including snappers), an unconscious deer that got clipped by a car (thought it was dead but it came to while I was using my light to signal oncoming drivers of the hazard half in the road), loose dogs in 55 mph roads.
Routinely see lots of deer, turkeys, herons, and eagles (they come to the pond on our work campus to eat the plentiful carp). Once while riding a rail trail in PA saw a dude holding a pissed off rattlesnake. I asked him if he routinely caught them and he said "nope, first time" then tossed it on the ground right next to a packed trail on a busy labor day weekend!
09-29-15, 10:23 AM
#38
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: IL
Posts: 58
Bikes: Breezer Uptown 8, Fuji Tread, Montague Navigator
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Other wildlife I've seen:
Coyote - Just once, but it was laying on the path in a meadow. I think it was just absorbing the heat from the asphalt.
Fox - It was in my front yard when I was finishing my commute that evening. As soon as it saw me coming close, it ran away.
Deer - all over the area. Earlier this year, I was riding along the Des Plaines river trail, and there was one within arm's reach of the trail. It wasn't moving from there, so I slowed way down and rode past it. It just stayed there the whole time watching me.
Rabbits, squirrels, raccoon, skunks, opossum I see every week, if not more often than that.
09-29-15, 10:26 AM
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Bronx, NYC
Posts: 1,885
Bikes: '19 Fuji Gran Fondo 1.5, '72 Peugeot PX10, '71ish Gitane Super Corsa, '78 Fuji Newest, '89 Fuji Ace, '94 Cannondale R600, early '70s LeJeune Pro project
Mentioned: 87 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 293 Post(s)
Liked 218 Times
in
101 Posts
I saw a red fox on my way into work last week. That was a first for me. @noglider I have seen coyotes twice so far commuting in Tibbetts Park in Yonkers.
09-29-15, 10:42 AM
#40
Half way there
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 2,957
Bikes: Many, and the list changes frequently
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 986 Post(s)
Liked 880 Times
in
527 Posts
Various snakes, foxes, deer, turtles, gopher tortoises, squirrels (can live without them), a peacock occasionally, hawks. I had a hummingbird buzz my wheel once probably responding to the hum of my dyno. It's the vultures looking down from the trees that bother me.
09-29-15, 11:42 AM
#41
Unlisted member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 6,192
Bikes: Specialized Hardrock
Mentioned: 29 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1376 Post(s)
Liked 432 Times
in
297 Posts
I regularly see skunks. I put a wide angle lens on my Magicshine and that makes it easy to spot them before I get too close. They remind me of my tiny jet black cat from a distance, and that's as close as I want to get to them.
09-29-15, 11:49 AM
#42
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Memphis TN area
Posts: 7,391
Bikes: 2011 Felt Z85 (road/commuter), 2006 Marin Pine Mountain (utility/commuter E-bike), 1995 KHS Alite 1000 (gravel grinder)
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 676 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times
in
13 Posts
This morning I saw an armadillo moseying on across the roadway. Car coming the other way slowed until it got to my side of the road. I was far enough back that I didn't really have to slow down.
Those things must be thinking "No fks given as I cross this road" haha
Those things must be thinking "No fks given as I cross this road" haha
09-29-15, 11:58 AM
#43
commuter and barbarian
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Potomac, MT, USA
Posts: 2,494
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
When I lived in the Midwest it was mostly possums, rabbits, and squirrels though I did see raccoons, fox, deer, and skunks occasionally.
Now, in Montana, I see lots of deer, raccoons and skunks, some big horn sheep and elk, and less often, wild turkeys, coyotes and black bears, and rarer still river otters.
I've run over a couple of cats and a possum and hit a dog. I went over the handle bars with the dog collision -- very painful outcome.
Now, in Montana, I see lots of deer, raccoons and skunks, some big horn sheep and elk, and less often, wild turkeys, coyotes and black bears, and rarer still river otters.
I've run over a couple of cats and a possum and hit a dog. I went over the handle bars with the dog collision -- very painful outcome.
09-29-15, 12:19 PM
#44
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Greater Atlanta OTP NW
Posts: 146
Bikes: GT Traffic 2.0 w/ Blackburn Rack
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Bobcats, cougars, armadillos, wild hogs, herons, foxes, and alligators when I lived in Florida. Deer, rabbits, turtles, and squirrels on my current commute in Georgia.
09-29-15, 01:01 PM
#45
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,075
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 27 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I used to have a commuting route that went through the Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve in San Diego. I raced a coyote down the road and surprised a bobcat who was about to kill a rabbit. The rabbit however, noticed that the bobcat had gotten distracted by me and got away.
On my commute I encounter numerous feral chicken . . . first time I realized chickens could fly really disturbed my, until I thought of the alternative - that chickens could climb trees. Also regularly encounter deer, rabbits, squirrels, occasionally a coyote. I've seen a couple of snakes sunning themselves on the MUP, including one rattlesnake, that was not pleased we chose to pass by so closely (I thought it was a stick). Lots of birds along the river - Canadian geese, blue heron, egrets, ducks (a mallard almost took me out earlier this year as it cut across the MUP as it was landing), hawks, and an owl paced me for about 100 yards the other morning.
09-29-15, 01:08 PM
#46
Banned
Dungeness crab out of the trap & into the Pot. Fish , On the Filleting table, by the West Mooring Basin..
09-29-15, 02:26 PM
#47
bill nyecycles
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Houston TX
Posts: 3,328
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 789 Post(s)
Liked 350 Times
in
190 Posts
i see a bunch of rabbits in teh park on the way home from work usually.
I saw an armadillo the other day. freak think was...he was actually alive! (southerns can attest that most armadillos you see are roadkill)
I saw an armadillo the other day. freak think was...he was actually alive! (southerns can attest that most armadillos you see are roadkill)
09-29-15, 03:09 PM
#48
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Toronto , Ontario , Canada
Posts: 542
Bikes: Colnago EP with Campy chorus
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I had a sneak cross in front of me last week out in the no men's land . It scare the crap out of me as I really hate sneaks . Otherwise , red tail fox , wild turkey , Canada geese , racoons .
09-29-15, 03:16 PM
#49
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Memphis TN area
Posts: 7,391
Bikes: 2011 Felt Z85 (road/commuter), 2006 Marin Pine Mountain (utility/commuter E-bike), 1995 KHS Alite 1000 (gravel grinder)
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 676 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times
in
13 Posts
Yep, no doubt! I was surprised at seeing the one crossing the road this morning.
09-29-15, 06:44 PM
#50
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: DC/NOVA
Posts: 56
Bikes: 2015 Giant Anyroad 1, 26 HT MTB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I hear ya. I think I've run up on three this summer and nearly ran over each one, but didn't thankfully for both of us.