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Return of Pepe Le Pew
Jul. 22nd, 2008 08:32 amI've been keeping my bicycle in the back shed for the past ten days or so (nearly two weeks now), and hitting the street via the lane that runs behind the house. Last night was no exception. I installed my pannier, affixed my helmet, turned on my flashing lights, and headed out into the lane. I passed by what looked like a spiky potted plant to my right, when to my surprise the potted plant hissed at me and swished around in a nonexistent breeze.
I didn't fall off my bicycle, but did a double-take nonetheless, stopping a few feet away. By then, my astounding reasoning faculties had figured out that it was an animal and not a potted plant, and probably a skunk by the colouring. What I had seen was the white on the skunk's tail (highlighted by the white light on the front of my bicycle), held straight up in the air, giving the illusion (to me) of foliage. The skunk, underwhelmed by my interruption of its routine, huffed at me and stamped its front feet, but by then I was too far away for it to do any real damage. After a moment it turned and went on its way, and I did the same, feeling better about my whole evening. I don't know what it is about seeing wildlife, but it makes me unreasonably happy.
I don't know if it's the same skunk I encountered a couple of months ago, but it was a fun little chance encounter nonetheless. A close call, too. I'm just glad I didn't end up going to work reeking of skunk spray.
I didn't fall off my bicycle, but did a double-take nonetheless, stopping a few feet away. By then, my astounding reasoning faculties had figured out that it was an animal and not a potted plant, and probably a skunk by the colouring. What I had seen was the white on the skunk's tail (highlighted by the white light on the front of my bicycle), held straight up in the air, giving the illusion (to me) of foliage. The skunk, underwhelmed by my interruption of its routine, huffed at me and stamped its front feet, but by then I was too far away for it to do any real damage. After a moment it turned and went on its way, and I did the same, feeling better about my whole evening. I don't know what it is about seeing wildlife, but it makes me unreasonably happy.
I don't know if it's the same skunk I encountered a couple of months ago, but it was a fun little chance encounter nonetheless. A close call, too. I'm just glad I didn't end up going to work reeking of skunk spray.
