Armadillo Sighting
Armadillo, not the one I saw. But this is what he looked like.
This month marks our two year anniversary of living in Texas. Ever since we moved down here we have been trying to spot an armadillo ( one that was alive that is, not a hit and run victim), well yesterday was my lucky day. I set out on my morning run on the trail at about 6:15 AM. I think my body is finally acclimating to the 80 degrees it usually is at this time. This is not to say that I do not finish my run looking like someone poured water all over me or that my heart rate isn’t high, it just means that my runs are starting to get a little faster than they were in the beginning of the summer under the same conditions. Back to the armadillo story.. I ran about a half a mile on the trail and suddenly I hear something scuttling down the hill on the side of the trail. At first sight at thought it was a bunny but as it got closer and then finally crossed the trail right in front of me I realized it was an armadillo. There is a fence on the other side of the trail so he couldn’t keep going and had to run along right in front of me for about a minute before he could scuttle back of into the woods. It was so cool to see it but I was totally kicking myself for not bringing my iphone with me on my run so that I could get a picture. The fact that I got to see my first live wild armadillo kept me smiling throughout my run. Bonus: I also saw a Doe with two fawns, they were so cute. I love running the trail, you never know who or what you are going to see. I almost ran on the treadmill yesterday morning, just to see if I could go faster in the cooler temperature, I’m so glad I didn’t.
Filed under: Running Blog
I work the swing shift, so I’m still asleep at the ungodly hour of 6:15 AM! All the more power to you, though!
Seeing wildlife can be so cool and inspirational during a morning run! I’m so glad you were able to see a live armadillo (I’ve never seen one except for those in the preserved category!)
Don’t forget the iPhone! You never know what might happen on the trail (or the street or the park). You may never need to make an emergency call for yourself, but may have to call for someone else!
Take care!
Did it run when it saw you? Or is it used to people? Fun!!
@Charles you are right, I do need to carry it just in case.
@ Carol it ran when it saw me and was trying to get away from me but there was nowhere for it to go, it was fun.
That is so freaking cool. How amazing – I don’t get to see much wildlife unless you count the homeless under the boardwalk. :O)
YAY for wildlife sightings!! I still look for my deer friend on all of my runs… there is something magical about those encounters.
I lived in Florida for four years, and man, did this give me some flashbacks! The crazy-early runs to avoid heatstroke … the rampant armadillos … the desire to pour cold water over one’s head, rather than just looking like someone did … good job getting out there, and congrats on your first of what I’m sure will be many armadillo sightings!
Spotting animals is Great during a run, especially unusual animals like that.
Great post!
Being outside in nature is one of the things I love the most about running. Listening for running water in a stream, spying a bunny rabbit….
I don’t know how you can run 80 degree weather and humidity to boot. I am a total wimp when it comes to that.
Hope you get another chance to take a picture of your new found running buddy…