Wildlife Encounters, Part II, or The Case of the Flying Armadillo
I’m beginning to think the animals in Oktibbeha County have it in for me.
Some of you might remember that I wrote a few months ago about seeing many an animal during my evening drives home to my little cottage in the Craig Springs area, including one incident where I literally chased the Easter bunny down the dirt road leading to my home.
While amusing, that incident pales in comparison to the situation in which I found myself one night this past week. Once again, I had a chance encounter with some wildlife that proved to be interesting, if not a bit nerve-wracking for a few moments.
What does this scenario involve, you might ask? Two words: Flying armadillo.
I know that creates a rather perplexing picture in your mind, but let me assure you, armadilloes can fly. I saw it happen Wednesday night… honest!
Lately, I have been apt to take old Highway 25 South as the first leg of my route from work each evening because (a) I don’t have to drive west to the bypass and then head south and (b) there is usually little traffic on the road at night.
Wednesday night, after another long day, I was making my way down old 25, following — but not too close — what I believe was a later-model black Pontiac Grand Am or Chevy. We’re heading down 25 and beginning to pick up speed a bit as we head out of town.
Then it happens.
As we round the curve just past Sand Road right before you reach Emerson Family School, I see the Grand Am appear to jerk a bit.
As this happens an armadillo comes flying to the left of the Grand Am toward my little Kia Rio.
From what I could tell, the armadillo had been hit by the Grand Am and was now spinning madly through the air toward me. The darn thing looked like a spinning football thrown by a quarterback on game day, only I am no receiver and had no desire to have armadillo innards all over the front of my car.
So, I swerved a bit to try to miss the deadly projectile and for a second or two lost control of the car.
But I’d heard a thump on the left front end as I swerved. I’d still hit the armadillo with my bumper as it came careening toward me.
The whole time, I just knew I was going to have — as Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltraine on “The Dukes of Hazzard” would say — a “horrendous crash.”
I could picture myself explaining the scenario to a responding police officer — most of whom I know by name — with the statement: “Well, officer, it all started when this armadillo came flying at me…”
So, afraid I’d end up in a ditch, I quickly jerked the steering wheel and managed to keep the car going.
Since it was rather late, I decided against stopping the car to check whether any innards were on the front bumper and just kept going. Luckily, when I arrived home and turned on the front porch light, there was nary an innard to be found — the armadillo had apparently hit my bumper with it’s hard shell back. Phew!
But that’s not the end of the story.
After restoring my breathing pattern to its normal rate in the aftermath of the flying armadillo encounter, I continued driving south on Old 25 until reaching the new section of the highway right where the four-lane ends.
I turned south onto the new roadway to continue heading toward Craig Springs, only to encounter Bambi’s mother attempting to jump across the road right at the point it continues to narrow into two lanes.
Luckily, I saw her in enough time to click my bright lights on and honk the horn profusely, sending mother deer back into the woods several yards away from the road shoulder. Another “horrendous crash” had been averted.
Or so I thought.
I managed to make it to Craig Springs Road and then drive the two and a half miles to York Road, where I live. It was there that I almost made mincemeat out of yet another bunny.
Right as I rounded the last curve to approach my driveway, Thumper jumps across the road in front me, sending my foot to the brake pedal and my car skidding few feet on the gravel road.
Luckily, Thumper again escaped unharmed.
After a third animal encounter in 20 minutes, I was exhausted. I pulled up to the house, got out of the car, immediately went inside and jumped in bed.
Only what sleep I did get that night was punctuated by repeated dreams of… you guessed it… flying armadilloes… AAARGH!
Just to note… I really do love animals. I just don’t understand why so many critters want to meet me via the hood of my car.
