What wildlife do you see on your rides?

[F8th637]

I've seen a few snakes sunning themselves on the trail. DH and I saw a full-antlered buck on the MUT right in the middle of a neighborhood. It was strange because he was in a rather residential area with tons of people around but he really was an astounding creature to behold.

[OakLeaf]

Didn't see it, but on tonight's ride there was a barred owl hooting as we climbed a long hill.

[crazycanuck]

I think I cycle near a large group of frogs on my rides? They sound like people talking quietly..odd yet cool.

I normally hear a Kookabura kookaburring in the mornings and a rooster! Oddly enough, the rooster is in an urban area right by a major train station..

[auntiebobo]

This morning's commute (just 6.5 miles) 8 rabbits.

A few months ago I saw a coyote again on my commute. It was just 6 feet off the trail! We were both a little startled, I was messing with my mirror and didn't see him as I approached and he it looked like he was stalking some prey and pounced on it as I went by. So, given that little experience I'm always glad to see the little cottontails on my way to the office.

[TahoeDirtGirl]

was a busy wildlife week! In Tahoe I get to see the usual bear and maybe a mountain lion once a year (if you are really quiet) but Mass is like a drive through safari!!

skunk (I was like...awwwww...then...OH CRAP!!!)
wild turkey sitting in someone's driveway
shuttled a snapping turtle out of the middle of the road (that was fun!)
garter snake (I caught it and scared my biking partner)
a big sea bird that dives in the water
cute chipmunks
a black squirrel (everyone is telling me it wasn't black but it was!)
and a coyote....

wow...!

[OakLeaf]

a black squirrel (everyone is telling me it wasn't black but it was!)

why not? There's a big population of black squirrels in the town I live near.

Really I see more wildlife when I stay home. I'm moving too fast when I'm on the bike.

But how did you manage that snapping turtle without getting bit? I had to leave my car halfway down my lane one time, because there was a snapping turtle in the lane who would not move, and I sure wasn't going to get my fingers bit off!

[TahoeDirtGirl]

why not? There's a big population of black squirrels in the town I live near.

Really I see more wildlife when I stay home. I'm moving too fast when I'm on the bike.

But how did you manage that snapping turtle without getting bit? I had to leave my car halfway down my lane one time, because there was a snapping turtle in the lane who would not move, and I sure wasn't going to get my fingers bit off!

They tell me there aren't black squirrels in SE Mass. Well then, someone got into the shoe polish!

As for the snapper, at first I was going to grab is tail because that's how I was taught when I was a kid that you could pick them up but you had to hold it really close to the body. When I attempted it, my 38 year old senses kicked in and well, I wasn't 12 anymore. So I teased him with a stick and when he took hold, I dragged him across the road. I usually have a piece of cardboard in my car now for emergency turtle crossings and tobaggan them across (snappers that is). The box ones I'll pick up.

When I was growing up a snapper bit my dog's nose. He forever had a white scar on his pretty black nose.

Yesterday, the wildlife report was 2 turkeys, 2 deer and some type of weasel. I wish I got pics. I also found what appears to be wild blueberries. I need to consult with someone in the know around here on berries because there is an awful lot of them. And oh how I want to snatch some! Last year I was in MN on a bear study and the bear biologist I was with knew all the berries and I loved it. Here I'm still recovering from the stomach bug and didn't want to wind up in the ER from eating poison berries!