What wildlife do you see on your rides?

[azfiddle]

This afternoon we stopped at a park that is a desert oasis. There is a natural spring that feeds a large man-made pond. it's always good for wildlife, and there were quite a few ducks (Wigeon, Mallards and Ring-necked Ducks). Today we were watching a Cooper's Hawk chase a Gila Woodpecker overhead in mid-air. I have done a lot of birding over the years, and I have never witnesses such a spectacular chase scene. The hawk caught the woodpecker after a series of mid-air changes of direction.

[PamNY]

The Cooper's hawk chase must have been wonderful. I've watched them chase but never seen a catch.

[PamNY]

I got very lucky with hawks today -- the juvenile (brown tail) was perched in an unusually low spot, so easy to photograph. The adult is a female who should lay eggs soon. I think she looks very thoughtful about the whole situation.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8867349...th/5475300394/

[Trekhawk]

I got very lucky with hawks today -- the juvenile (brown tail) was perched in an unusually low spot, so easy to photograph. The adult is a female who should lay eggs soon. I think she looks very thoughtful about the whole situation.

Wonderful snaps Pam!
The hawks are beautiful.

[Trek-chick]

Snapping Turtle!!

[IMG][/IMG]

[Catrin]

I saw 13 deer on a short 1:10 ride late yesterday afternoon! Considering I was riding loops in a large park it is probable that there was at least some double-counting, but still It is, of course, easier to see them before the leaves return, but they do blend in with their surroundings - all of that brown. They all appeared to be quite young, probably all born last year.

One sighting was interesting. I watched her run up to the road - then she stopped, walked across the pavement, then started running again when her feet hit the grass. It was like she was remembering deer-road-crossing school instructions

[malkin]

The usual ducks and geese, a Cooper's Hawk (unusual for downtown), a blue jay (don't usually see them downtown either), and a guy unconscious with his legs akimbo over a ramp at the back of Domino's Pizza.

Brewer didn't see him, but he turned the tandem around to go back; I guess he knew by listening to me that we had to.

We shouted at him; the guy moved a little bit (quite a relief to see that he wasn't dead!), but was unresponsive with his cell phone on the ground next to him. Called 911 and everyone came, ambulance, police, fire truck and then we left and finished our ride.

Glad that doesn't happen very often.