Wildlife

6M yesterday (before the rain) saw 2 beautiful snakes. Jade green with yellow stripes. Very pretty. They were in the middle of the trail, but the H U B B I E's sharp eyesight saw them, and thankfully did not run them over. Then we escorted them into the woods. Sorry no photo.
 
6MR today, saw a turtle in the middle of the trail. So we had to move him so he wouldnt get run over. Also the hubby, beleive it or not, almost hit a grey heron! It was next to the trail and when he went by, it flew out right in front of him. Silly.
 
I had a deer jump out in front of me and ran in front of me down Blue yesterday. Had to slow down to give him a chance to turn back in.
 
spotted a small owl (i think it was a screech) last night at six mile. didn't get a picture, but i got a close up view. the thing came down from a branch and flew so close to my helmet i felt the air from its wing flapping!
 
clarkenstein said:
spotted a small owl (i think it was a screech) last night at six mile. didn't get a picture, but i got a close up view. the thing came down from a branch and flew so close to my helmet i felt the air from its wing flapping!
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Lol, it looked like it actually hit you!
 
I've seen alot of wildlife mtbiking 🙂 The two coolest things I've seen while riding is a baby Fawn (doe) probably about a week old laying in the soft fern right off a trail at Mercery County Park..She was beautiful and so soft to the touch...like petting a puppy. She never even blinked when I touch her. Also, I once was riding single track at Estell Manor Park and on a slight down hill when a Red Tailed Hawk swooped down in front of me and glided while I drifted behind it for a 50 feet...very cool times. Thanks for the post...bring back alot of great memories 😉
 
Saw this up at Jungle Habitat the other day...... not sure if it was a bear or what .
 

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BonsaiMTB said:
I've seen alot of wildlife mtbiking 🙂 The two coolest things I've seen while riding is a baby Fawn (doe) probably about a week old laying in the soft fern right off a trail at Mercery County Park..She was beautiful and so soft to the touch...like petting a puppy. She never even blinked when I touch her. Also, I once was riding single track at Estell Manor Park and on a slight down hill when a Red Tailed Hawk swooped down in front of me and glided while I drifted behind it for a 50 feet...very cool times. Thanks for the post...bring back alot of great memories 😉
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Petting wild animals? Really? Your inability to negotiate minor trail obstacles will be the least of your worries when 200lbs of doe plants 2 front hooves in the back of your head, while your bending over to pet Bambi.
 
Monkey Soup said:
Petting wild animals? Really? Your inability to negotiate minor trail obstacles will be the least of your worries when 200lbs of doe plants 2 front hooves in the back of your head, while your bending over to pet Bambi.
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While I fully understand the desire to touch wild animals, it is true, they are best left alone, especially when its a baby. Look at it like this, you could get it sick 🙁
 
to Bonsai's defense, it's almost impossible to ride Mercer without coming into very close contact with the deer...they are more prevalent there than squirrels, snakes and turtles. Must have seen/ridden within 2 ft of at least 10 deer there just the last time I was out. Even the chainsaws didn't scare em off during TM. One day one of em is going to take me out or me hit one of them...seems just a matter of time/odds. They are probably at more risk eating crap left behind on the ground by picnic ppl than by us.... but, no, I don't stop to pet them - but I do talk to them like a crazy person in the woods!
 
Monkey Soup said:
Petting wild animals? Really? Your inability to negotiate minor trail obstacles will be the least of your worries when 200lbs of doe plants 2 front hooves in the back of your head, while your bending over to pet Bambi.
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Agreed. Do a Youtube search for deer or doe attacks and you will see what they are capable of.

Arwen's Mom said:
While I fully understand the desire to touch wild animals, it is true, they are best left alone, especially when its a baby. Look at it like this, you could get it sick 🙁
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More accurately, he marked Bambi for death. From a deer site:

"Fawns are born scent-free and have white camouflage spots which protect them from predators. The doe continues to keep her babies scent free by consuming her fawns urine and droppings. This is yet another reason why humans should never touch a fawn. Leaving human scent on their body will attract predators to the fawn."
 
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Wow..didn't know it was that big of a deal to touch a fawn? The mother was no where in sight..and she didn't appear afraid or harmed....so I thought to just touch it...I ment no harm or ill will by it. Now I know.
 
BonsaiMTB said:
Wow..didn't know it was that big of a deal to touch a fawn? The mother was no where in sight..and she didn't appear afraid or harmed....so I thought to just touch it...I ment no harm or ill will by it. Now I know.
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We arent trying to pick on you, just letting you know. General rule of thumb is not to touch wildlife, especially babies. Believe me, mom was nearby, and the reason the fawn didnt move was because mom told it "sit still and be quiet and wait for me" fawns are much more obedient than human babies 😀
 
red fox

Saw the biggest red fox I've ever seen leaving the sourlands yesterday. Just trotting down E. Mountain road like a dog heading home. See pic - he spotted two bikers approaching - when they got close, he finally headed off the road and bolted.
 

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Awesome!!

rick81721 said:
Saw the biggest red fox I've ever seen leaving the sourlands yesterday. Just trotting down E. Mountain road like a dog heading home. See pic - he spotted two bikers approaching - when they got close, he finally headed off the road and bolted.
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That is a great pic...Love coming across animals like that out on the trail/road.

Good stuff
 
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