critters in your path?

javelinas when i used to live in san antonio (i kept hoping they wouldn't pull an old yeller on me!) and pretty much any other small animal you can think of...but mostly on late evening or very early mornings. during days, mostly dogs

This is a little critter I ran into on a ride last year.

Owing to my unusual work/sleep schedule, I run after dark quite a lot.  I see and hear quite a bit of wildlife while out there - often deer crashing through the woods, owls, loads of bats, frogs and toads (especially when raining), etc.  Just tonight I saw a fox scamper across a driveway about 50' away from me. 

My most bizarre near-collision was a few weeks ago... an armadillo tried to wander across my path.  Fortunately he was in a semi-lit area, so I spotted him first.  I stopped to watch him and he waddled right by me, I could have bent over and picked him up.  They must have really lousy eyesight.  It's no wonder the roadsides are littered with their carcasses....

Chris

The squirrels this time of year are awful. Through some areas, I have to ride with my hands literally on the brakes (not braking, but ready to). Even the ones that are on the side of the road, in the grass, will leap out into the road right in front of me when I ride by. I think I just have really bad luck. I counted 7 complete stops for squirrels in less than 6 minutes on a ride the other day. Seriously! And, I'm a pretty decent rider with pretty decent handling skills, not a little nervous nelly one who's overexaggerating the seriousness of this issue. I hit a squirrel earlier this year; fortunately, I did not go down, but I have a fear of it getting caught in my spokes, then wrapping around and bringing my bike to a complete stop when it hits the fork. I was told this is unlikely, but still....

Not a fan of the squirrels.

That would definitely be concerning!  I had one step towards me once, and I nearly freaked!

I typically ride on a fairly rural trail, so I get wildlife all the time.  See deer a couple times a week, squirrels, rabbits, and chipmunks everyday, turtles.  Once had a wild turkey try to out fly me - finally he went off to the side, occasional snakes - ran over one today.  Today saw two dead mice about 2 miles apart - that was a first.

Lots of fun - always an adventure!

I just started running but hiking, I've seen a lot!

 I've smelled skunks, although never seen them, I've seen multiple deer, snakes, fox, racoon, rabbits, turtles, geese, ducks, squirrels (all over the place), chipmunks and... a black bear!