Wild Things! An A-to-Z Ode To My Favorite Wild Animal Encounters While Racing (Part 2 of 3)
Graceful herons, speedy javelinas, owls that steal headlights, and manatees that steal your heart - more great wild animal stories from trails and triathlons
If you’ve read Wild Things - Part I, then you know I enjoy the thrill of crossing paths with a wild animal while racing in an ultramarathon, triathlon, or bike race. It can be a nice adrenaline boost, as well as a good reminder that we are guests in Mother Nature’s habitats. Here is Part II in my list of favorite encounters, from the letters H-to-O (H2O?). If you have more animal stories of your own to add, please comment! And a big shout out to Marco Denson for his story of “the bear near the finish line of the Western States 100m that stopped me from hitting the 30 hour cutoff”. I know we say we will do anything to get a finisher buckle, but I agree that you likely made the right call. ;-)
H is for Herons and Wild Hamsters
I’ve locked eyes with the prehistoric looking Heron on three continents now - North America, Europe, and Asia. Their presence always feel like a good omen, but I suspect this is because if you see one, this also means you are someplace very quiet in undisturbed nature. You can find them in the wetlands, patiently fishing on their stilt legs, or soaring down the river valley with their 3-meter wingspan and a loud HONK. In Japan, they nest in the trees near rivers, lakes, and parks. Here in Austria, I’ve found them in the lake country of the Alps (such as at the Wolfgangsee 21k), as well as along the Danube River. And in the Bay Area of California, of course, they are plentiful, and can be spotted at the Bay Trails Marathon, Pacifica 50k, the Marin Ultra Challenge 50k, and the Half Moon Bay Marathon.
Yes, wild hamsters are a thing! Not only do they exist, but in Vienna the “Feldhamster” is a protected species. I see them on my weekly runs, usually hanging out near parks and cemeteries.
I is for…Inchworm?
Obviously, I am stretching to find an “I” animal for my list. ;-) Perhaps if I had raced in Central America where iguanas are wild, I would have more to choose from. But instead, I have the delicate inchworm, who is technically a caterpillar, and known to drop from oak trees at races such as the Pony Express 100k, Ohlone 50k, or the lush Cayoga Trails 50m. At Cayoga, there were so many I had to shake them out of my clothes at the aid stations! But they are pretty harmless.
J is for Javelinas and Jellyfish
I first ran into a javelina at the Nueces 50m in the Texas brush country, when it burst out of the the thicket as the sunrise revealed their nests. I quickly realized they are crazy fast, and there is a very good reason the locals call them “skunk pigs”…I couldn’t get that smell off of my clothes for days!
The jellyfish is such a common occurrence in open ocean swims, it feels like it is more rare to NOT run into them at triathlons. I’ve had minor run-ins with jellyfish at the Ironman World Championships in Kona, at the Big Kahuna and Pacific Grove triathlons in California, and “as advertised” at the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon. I’ve been pretty lucky with only minor stings on my legs (a sunburn-level annoyance), but have seen a few colleagues struggling with a swelling face tattoo or even getting one in their mouth. For some open ocean swimmers, I’ve heard the big beard is a good defense mechanism!
K is for Kestrels and the Kit Fox
The American Kestrel looks cute and friendly at first appearance, with their spotted feathers on a diminutive frame, but make no mistake, they are KILLING MACHINES. I first saw one of these mini-falcons at the Bulldog 30k north of Los Angeles, perched one-legged on a fencepost, eating a mouse in the other claw like an ice cream cone. At the American River 50m, a kestrel was in a tree eating grasshoppers so loudly, you’d think she was going through a bag of potato chips. My guess is their size equates to a metabolism that needs constant feeding!
The Kit Fox is the large-eared, mini version of the Grey/Red Fox, and is typically found in desert regions of the west coast of the USA and Mexico. I’ve spotted them in the high desert of southern Oregon at the Haulin’ Aspen Trail Marathon, and have heard them yip-yipping when training for the Silver State 50m outside of Reno, Nevada. Their ears are unmistakeable!
L is for Leeches and Lynx
If you’ve ever waded through a lake or pond, then looked down and thought “wow, that slug is really hanging on tight”, it could be you have picked up a leech. These little blood suckers can be scary to find on your body, but usually can be quickly picked off without any damage. If you are running fast, there’s no concern because they won’t have time to attach, but I’ve had them find me when soaking my feet or cleaning up after a race in Lake Tahoe after the Lake of the Sky 33m, the great lakes of the midwest USA, and in Oregon at the Where’s Waldo 100k.
The lynx can be found in Europe, Canada, and Asia, but the one I am most familiar with is the lynx rufus, aka, the “bobcat”. These are so prevalent in California and the southern US states, you can generally find one hunting birds and mice on your morning runs, or sunning mid day. I’ve stumbled upon them on the trail at the Flagline 50k in Oregon, and many times at the Woodside 50k and Purisima 50k in my old home town.
M is for Manatees and Mountain Goats
Manatees, also known as “sea cows”, can be found in the still waters of the Gulf of Mexico and further south. They are very peaceful and curious creatures, and often look like floating logs that swim up if you are near the shore or on a kayak. I saw them everywhere at the Spring Hill Marathon in Florida, USA, and if you believe in reincarnation, I think a manatee wouldn’t be a bad life in the right conditions. They are crazy cute!
Mountain goats are amazing creatures, earning their moniker with their unique dexterity navigating the highest and steepest elevations of the Cascade Mountain Range in the Pacific Northwest of the USA, the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, and the mountains of Canada and Alaska. I’ve seen them in the Cascades, and was instantly jealous of their power, strength and footing. And, of course, their awesome goatees!
O is for Owls
Perhaps you haven’t seen an owl, but if you run at night, they for sure are seeing you! You can find these characters in every continent of the world, from pygmy size to massive great horned owls. It’s usually my headlight that reflects their massive eyes in the trees that gives them away, or their unique remnants on the trail (they regurgitate the undigestible bones and claws of their prey). At the San Francisco Double Marathon, I had to fight one for 20 minutes as it attacked my headlight defending his turf along the marina. Mostly friend, but sometimes foe!
P-Z Wild Animals Coming Next…
Peacocks, Snakes, Zebus and more are coming! In the meantime, drop a comment and let me know if you have some good H-O animal stories of your own.
Cheers, Scott