No, not that kind, the kind you encounter when riding.

The red-winged blackbirds now are out in force in the Midwest. These birds are incredibly territorial and love to dive bomb cyclists. Last weekend riding in SW Michigan, I was followed by several. I barked like a dog (yes, "woof, woof"), which seems to discourage them from pecking at my helmet.

I also felt something sharp hit my upper thigh while riding along. It really hurt for a few moments, and I did not see anything on my shorts. However, I think I was stung by bee or a wasp. I have a half-dollar size red welt that is a bit swollen. I don't see a stinger but the area is irritated. Two years ago I was stung in the face near my eye by a wasp while riding (luckily I did not crash), and my face swelled to the point where I looked like an alien. (The worst part, though, may have been the effects from the steroids I had to take to reduce the swelling.)

When I first started biking, I thought I needed to worry only about cars and dogs. Who knew the other hazards?!?!?!?