Birds are out to get you, man.

[garnigal]

The fog and the local wildlife conspired to scare the hell out of me this morning. A hawk burst out of the ditch right beside me as I drive through a wooded area. So close that I jumped and swerved. Pretty cool, once my heart rate got back to normal.

Comments

[brunettepet.livejournal.com]

That does sound startling.

[shapinglight]

Ooh, interesting. Any idea what sort of hawk?

[trepkos.livejournal.com]

Seconded!

[garnigal.livejournal.com]

Probably a red-tail. They're very common, and there was definitely some red highlighting on the edges of wings and underbody, which is all I saw of her.

I did have a merlin in my back yard a few years ago during their migration season. That was very cool. Hadn't seen one before, haven't seen one since, but I keep my eyes peeled.

We also have bald eagles around. I saw one a couple weeks ago. And the ospreys will be back soon.

I love birds. :)

[1-rhiannon-1.livejournal.com]

That's really cool but it would've scared the daylights out of me!

[garnigal.livejournal.com]

Yeah, there was definitely some WTF was that going on.

[the-moonmoth.livejournal.com]

Whoa!

[trepkos.livejournal.com]

I got a REALLY MILD case of shingles - just three almost invisible dots on my ribcage - and it was surprisingly painful, so I would say, yes, get the vaccine! I'm told that, fortunately for me, each time you get it, it's less severe.

[zhelana.livejournal.com]

That's really cool - as long as you missed it!

[garnigal.livejournal.com]

Fortunately he swung back away from the car, but he was close enough I saw his underbelly as he swung away.

[desdemonaspace]

That's supposed to be good luck! Frank's people think so, anyway. Glad you didn't hit him.

[garnigal.livejournal.com]

Which part is good luck? The proximity, the spotting or seeing the rising of the hawk. Because I should have the best damn luck ever given how many hawks I see in the course of a year. In the spring, I'll see at least one a day. Summer is usually 2 a week, fall is daily again and even in the winter I can spot them on hydro lines. If that's lucky, I should win the lottery!


We also get eagles - I'm not quite as good at spotting them - and ospreys, and I had a merlin in my yard a few years ago. I'm a big fan of all raptors all the time.

[desdemonaspace]

What part is luck? Well, Frank isn't here to clarify, but I imagine "seeing them" and "avoiding hitting them." I'm crazy about raptors. I love to see them hovering above, with their wings scarcely moving, supported on thermals.

[garnigal.livejournal.com]

I love raptors too. My favourite part of Alaska was seeing eagles everywhere.

[desdemonaspace]

Did you take the tram up to the top of Mt Roberts and see the raptor rehabilitation center? That, and the tram ride itself, were wonderful.

[garnigal.livejournal.com]

We hiked Mt Roberts instead, didn't quite make it to the peak, but got some fantastic views of the harbour and our big giant boat.

[xspike4evax.livejournal.com]

A real life Hitchcock moment!

[kseenaa.livejournal.com]

Wildlife does have a tendency to scare the hell out of you on occasion. :-)

[garnigal.livejournal.com]

Worst I've had is a partridge when I was out hiking. I almost stepped on it before it flapped up at me.

[lycoris.livejournal.com]

Oh wow, I bet that was awesome. Although yeah, I'd probably have had a heart attack too - it's nearly always alarming when wildlife appears out of nowhere!

[garnigal.livejournal.com]

I just wish I was able to pull over and take a picture.

[sylleblossom.livejournal.com]

We need more interesting wildlife here. I think the most interesting it gets is circling birds overhead or a peacock, at least the very interesting things.

[garnigal.livejournal.com]

Where are you? One of my parents neighbours had to shoot a timber wolf in their barn this winter, so sometimes boring is good. :)

[snogged.livejournal.com]

Woah!
That would be cool AND scary. I'm glad you and the car are okay.

[garnigal.livejournal.com]

Fortunately I kept it shiny side up, wheels between the lines.

[badfalcon.livejournal.com]

MEEP! Yeah, that would have made me scream. Glad you weren't hurt at all

[garnigal.livejournal.com]

It was all good, except for the post-reaction nervous laughter.