On bike: Bullfrogs & nature's noises, smells

Yesterday was riding past a creek that ran at least 300 ft. and it was noisy with bullfrogs bleeping loudly. Maybe it there was a mating discussion goin' on or they were chatting about the food after hibernation.

Definitely the people in cars whizzzing by me would have never heard this wonderful springtime blurping of Nature.

Really, cycling is just super for absorbing more deeply nature's noises, sights and smells. I miss the sight and smell of flowering lilac trees and bushes since not as prevalent on northwest coast. But look forward to the cherry blossoms soon.

It's just not the same experience when in the car!

That's one of the things I like best about cycling. I was noticing that on my way home last week with the tree frogs just going nuts in one area, and one hill that I pass where the daffodils are out early that I probably wouldn't notice while whizzing by in my car.

I can't wait for lilac season!

Sarah

I totally agree!

I was so happy to hear the bullfrogs last week. There is part of my ride that dips from farmland into deep forested creek for about 200 yards and when I'm down there, I always take a deep breath and smell the cool forest (even in the dead of summer). It's such an amazing contrast to the farm spaces and you'd never notice it in a car because it's so short and it zips by so fast when driving 50 mph.

And our lilacs are just about to pop! I can't wait!! This will be the first time I've smelled lilacs in over 12 years and they'll be in my own backyard (and on every table in the house, too!). Yay!

I love the things I experience on the bike most motorists don't. Did you know cows are extremely vocal? How wonderful it smells in spring? How beautiful a running creek sounds? I can't hear or smell any of that in my metal box. :)

There's nothing more funny than riding by a herd of cows. They give this look like "what the?????". I also love to ride on Key Biscayne where the Seaquarium is located. In the morning you can hear the sea lions "barking". It's pretty cool!

sucicidal squirrels and sleeping cats!

There is one pond on my way to work that has spring peepers every year. Every time I bike by there with peeping peepers, the doppler effect is quite obvious. Last year, however, there were no peepers. I think the pond froze clear to the bottom that year. Hope I get to hear doppler shifted peepers this year.

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Originally Posted by tofu

sucicidal squirrels and sleeping cats!

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What is the deal with squirrels? They always run in front of me, and half the time they freeze in front of my wheel. I ran over one last year.

I see lots of rabbits on the trail I ride after work in the summer. They never run in front of me.

Rabbits are definitely smarter than squirrels.

This isn't much about the squirrels, but more on more smells encountered while biking by:

*Smell of strawberry fields..like fresh strawberries.

*And there's a spot that is a little bunny hill that I go up on one of my regular routes...I swear someone must have a jasmine-like flowering bush somewhere outdoors or near a window. It is a powerful fragrant burst always at a certain corner.

*I recall in Hawaii, through one of the national parks, cycling through a real chorus of birds unfamiliar to me.

On a trip to San Luis Obispo last year my DH and I finally rode through Los Osos in California where there are a ton of Eucalyptus trees right on the coast. We have driven it for years and thought it awesome and dreamt of riding it. When we finally did it was of course more magnificent than we had imagined with the fog coming in off the ocean, the cool air and the tangy scent of the trees!

Pukeko's always decide to venture onto the path just when you're going past..Good thing it's a quiet trail on my way to uni.

The craziest thing is riding along a windy part of the Swan river early in the morning & wondering if the ducks are going to waddle onto the bike path :eek: There are only two ways you can go if this happens...into the river or into another cyclist on the other side of the path :eek:

I often see creatures zip over the path in front of me at 530am but can't tell exactly what they are even with my light.

I wish i could enjoy the ocean when i ride past Leighton Beach (near fremantle) but i'm too busy keeping my fingers crossed that some large transport vehicle doesn't smush me :mad: :eek:

There is a route we take with a club ride through a valley filled with farms. Off in the distance, as you enter the valley, you can see a largish herd of horses. In a couple of miles, as you approach the section of fence where the horses are, you can see the horses start to gallop from wherever they are to towards the fence. They all just take off as a group when they see a group of cyclists and meet us at the far corner close to the road. It is the most stupendous and amazing and beautiful sight! I guess they think we're some type of colorful horse, and they want to come, too, wherever we're going!

Karen

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Originally Posted by kermit

There's nothing more funny than riding by a herd of cows. They give this look like "what the?????". I also love to ride on Key Biscayne where the Seaquarium is located. In the morning you can hear the sea lions "barking". It's pretty cool!

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No there is one thing funnier- goats! Cows either get startled or look at you like you are nuts and just keep chewing their cud. Goats I love because they bahh or whatever noise they make. They play, they fight, there is banter. I want a gajillion of them for amusement only. They are a riot! I love riding by them and taking them in.

I would love to see sea lions!