The moaning, droning howl of a Valk...

[Molasses]

Okay, I'm just checking here to see if anyone else has wondered if wildlife react "funny" to the sound of a Valkyrie.  Or if I'm imagining things, reading too much into stuff or need to check into the rubber room hotel. 

I've had a deer jump out of a bed and start straight into full speed run across the highway along I-94 west of Fargo as I approached.  Lord only knows how many other vehicles of all sorts had been ignored while it laid low.

A rooster pheasant hopping out of the tall weeds along the mown edge of the shoulder, doing these big high hops leaned back with the tail pointing down and feet coming way high forwards to show off the fighting spurs, again, just as my bike comes along.

Yesterday there was a great blue heron that took off like something was gonna get him if he wasn't hauling them long ol' legs skywards right now!  From a swampy pond alongside a fairly busy road, and again, just as I came along on the Valk.  Later in the day, there was a big fat raccoon that took off across the road in front of me and he was hauling it as fast as he could from the moment I first spotted him come out of the brush.  I'd almost swear he was stretching the rear feet out ahead of the fronts on each stride like a running rabbit.  I'd met a couple of 'Wings and a Harley dresser coming the other way just a minute earlier that I'm betting he didn't panic like that over.

So, I'm wondering if the more-or-less unique sound our bikes make is responsible in some way, like maybe critters darned well know the sound of a predatory beast on the prowl and react accordingly , or are these all coincidence or???   What do y'all think?

[fudgie]

Mine attracts HOG's........ 

[Ghillie]

I've notice mine attracts HOGs too, they get close out of curiosity and then run away.

[Jabba]

I had a goose fly up from the side of the road and get between me and the windshield once... but I was onlu going 15 mph or so.

I had a duck almost hit me once too.

I have had ONE close call with a deer but I was going WAY too fast, in the dark (twilight) between corn fields.  Really a dumbass move there.

Jabba

[Willow]

John, that had to be a frightening experience.  I can honestly say I've never had anything that big get between me and the windshield.

[alph]

Jabba,

Sorry I've got to ask....  Did you duck for the goose?

I had a redwing black bird courting me once when I was getting gas.  There was a swamp near by and either the bird liked the colors of my bike, or I was too close to its nest.  It was really neat, this bird was flapping it's wings, calling like crazy, whizzing back and forth from one pump to the other!

[BudMan]

In broad daylight on the way to MOOT MAG http://www.magnaownersoftexas.com/mootmag7.htm I was following a 3rd Generation Magna.  The deer never moved an inch as the Mag went by, then with almost perfect timing, it charged out in front of my Valk.    It was as close to the south bound end of a north bound deer I ever want to come while I'm on a scooter!
Granted, my riding partner's Magna is a quiet machine, but I have stock pipes on my Valk except for the truck tips.
I suspect they may be hearing the belts.

Ride Safe. 

[Michael K (Az.)]

6 A.M., southbound somewhere in South Georgia a convention size group of small birds decided, as one, to investigate the large red & white noisy thing rolling down the highway. One minute they're loitering along side the road, the next, they're up and flying right at myownself! ???
Coulda been a flock of long necked buckle puckers for all I know.
Presto! I was in a re-shoot of Hitchcocks,"The Birds". Feathers flew, blood spattered and I believe I may have pinched my Ultimate seat with my own butt while I was screaming like a little girl.
Other than that, I toughed it out.

[Hoser]

No one can predict what a deer will do, they are the dumbest animal on the face of the earth and need to be eradicated.  Kill them! Kill them all!  (can you tell I've hit a few?)  Hoser

[Lyn-Del]

I ducked my second turkey today.  First was in NW Texas, today in Connecticut.  So maybe I have a turkey call somewhere?  Different bikes, though.  Must be my teddy bear, Lola.

[Super Santa]

Phyllis, what about that one on the Natchez Trace on our way to Cheaha this spring?  I was behind you and saw that one.

[Lyn-Del]

I was in a car on the way to Cheaha, so I doubt that counts.

[Super Santa]

Hmmmm, that is right.  Musta been that magician riding with us casting a spell on my eyes to make me think it was you.

[Super Santa]

Boy, it is tough getting old and forgetful.  Needing things to prod the memories back into focus.

I recall now, the one you missed in West Texas was when we were on the way to Tucumcari, NM.

The close call on the Natchez Trace was that Wizard trying to bag a big Lynx (bobcat).  Unless I made another mistake and someone corrects me again.