It seems I had joined a group of Wisconsin birders for an outing along the Mississippi. Forgetful, I had inadvertently worn my U. of M. gopher cap and after introducing myself, several asked how my team had done against the Badgers the preceding day in football. This, of course, was a loaded question since they had lost badly, which made it something like 12 in a row. Taking off my cap, I pointed out that it was 1962, when I was a junior, when my team had been in the Rose Bowl. That produced a good laugh so I added there would be no more football talk while birding.
A hapless gopher
Some of you may recall a recent post I did about my early morning encounter on the porch of our cabin in Yellowstone National Park. There was something about his eyes...
Then it turns out that fierce animals are not the only ones to pose a danger. It seems some birds in Florida threatened our car as well.
Fortunately I left my waders, flyrod, and swimsuit in Minnesota
And coming up in Part III Mrs. T. takes on some Grizzly Bears
Great photos of the ferocious critters. I've only seen a badger once. Who would have guessed that vultures were tire-eaters!?
ReplyDeleteBoth Gophers and Badgers have been tough on poor Iowa.I went to the U of AZ, LOL, but my dad and brother played for NE.
ReplyDeleteI bet that badger can really be mean. Vultures eating tires? They must really be bored.
ReplyDeleteYou have a great theme for this series of posts.
ReplyDeleteI understand the fierceness of the bison....they came close to our car in Custer...and I was very scared!
ReplyDeleteEating tires??? OH.MY!
ReplyDeleteWhat is to like in a tyre? Great pictures of the wildlife. Pity about your team, though
ReplyDeleteThose gators are scary looking! Well, all of them are, except for that first one on the baseball cap. :-)
ReplyDeleteDO you remember Sandy Stephens? It was a big deal when he chose to join the Montreal Alouettes, but his CFL career didn't turn out all that great.
ReplyDeleteNow that is a fearsome bunch. Vultures are famous for taking out windshields in Fl. They just aren't street smart.
ReplyDeleteHang in there Gophers. Hey if the Cubbies can--anyone can.
Those badgers are scary little things. Loved all the photographs.
ReplyDeleteBlack Vultures are eating tires??? That's pretty strange.
ReplyDeletethose gators would scare me! :)
ReplyDeleteYou and your Mrs. have lived a more exciting life than I have. Can't imagine an encounter with Grizzlies but will have to wait for Part 111.
ReplyDeleteI have seen several badgers on our explores. My husband had a badger live close to his house not far from the river.
ReplyDeleteI love the alligator photos. Amazing creatures.
Great photos of the vulture and alligators! We visited the Everglades last spring and were told the same thing about the vultures. The park had plastic sheeting to cover our cars with.
ReplyDeleteThat badger is pretty scary looking. They have quite the reputation for fighting. I've never seen one and I'm not so sure I would get as close as you and have the mind to take a picture. How neat!
ReplyDeletePart II has several more interesting photos. Even though we’ve seen it before, the buffalo picture is still fascinating. Love that one! Also the sign … Vultures may cause damage! That’s a new one for me. And the “no swimming” with the gators! Neat! Looking forward to Part III!
ReplyDeleteWell, I can sympathize with the whole Gopher-for-a-mascot thing. A little rodent that digs holes and tunnels in lawns doesn't exactly translate to ferociousness or fear on the football field for outsiders.
ReplyDeleteFun photos, and nowadays I'm not watching out for gophers, I'm watching out for alligators while birding!
I love that picture of the badger and those pictures of the alligator!!
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