Two days ago, I had just finished a great hike in Top of the World Provincial Park and had just begun the drive home when (what I thought was) a marmot walks out onto to the side of the logging road ahead of me. I was surprised that a marmot would be hanging out so low down in the forest. Then it turns towards me and I see that it is a badger! First time I have ever seen one! Very exciting. It was one of the last things I expected.

All in BC have seen and usually alone when met, mountain cariboo, M lion, M goat,black bears(once saw 12 in 3 days on N Van Island), grizzly (from a boat), two moose rutting while hiking alone in Newfoundland, elk, bobcat and most other smaller animals with exeption of the lynx. Most amazing experience ever was alone in Beaver Valley of Glacier National Park, BC when I met face to face with pack of 12 timber wolves, we stared at each other a long while, they were neither threatning nor scared.

I saw a bobcat today while hike Wasson Peak in Tucson, AZ. I was within 10 feet of it when we both scared each other and he darted away. I tried to take a picture but couldn't get my camera out fast enough. Pretty neat expirence though.

On saturday we saw the rare Salamandra salamandra almanzoris on Los Barrerones, Circo de Gredos. It was rainy and it partly had left its hiding place. I only could take a pic of half the body but this is entire:

i have seen the elusive "chav"

both the female and male of the species exhibit strong "white trash" behavior.

Saw a Mountain Lion walking on the trail just about 15 yards ahead of me. Decemeber 31st of 2007, Big Bend Park. Saw a big Western Diamondback while hiking in Hill Country Natural area.

I live in Las Vegas, NV and the last three mornings while jogging through Summerlin I saw:

Sunday - 3 foxes crossing the sidewalk together (5 feet away)
Monday - a coyote crossing Charleston Ave near the Red Rock Wash (25 yds)
Tuesday- a bobcat (wildcat) laying atop the perimeter fence on the west side of Sienna (5')

I didn't used to see this much wildlife when I lived in Alaska and Montana and never so close!!!

On my return hike out three days ago from the Palisades Basin, I ran into a "Kill Zone" and found lots of Big Horn bone debris along with several large dried blood pools and drag trails.

It was very fascinating. Grabbed a half femur that clearly shows the teeth marks when it was ripped in half. Very powerful scene to say the least. The client I was with was very very impressed with the awesomeness of it all....

I saw about half a dozen of these Mormon Crickets on the trail up to East Mountain.

Deer grazing above 12k' on Wheeler Peak, NV:


(photo courtesy MA Haghi.)

rhyang wrote:

That looks like PnP.

Almost stepped on a good-sized western diamondback while down in Sedona yesterday. Punk didn't even rattle at me, just coiled back for the strike. Needless to say, after that every damn tree branch I saw on the climb looked like a snake....