Getting (too) close to nature

[sTrongFuse]

Or, more accurately, nature getting too close to me...

As runners, we're used to picking up minor injuries: strains, pulls, twists, scratches and stings; they are pretty much an occupational hazard.

Getting strafed by an pi**ed off buzzard, and being left with a light talon scratch on your scalp is, however, possibly one of the more exotic and "you really had to be there" injuries that can befall us.

The buzzard in question is rather specacular and has a reputation for providing close encounters with unwary ramblers and runners in the vicinity, and having one fly at eye-level just a few feet in front of you is an amazing experience. I could, however, have done without the insight into how its prey must feel when it's hunting.

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Wow amazing and terrifying all at the same time

[sTrongFuse Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

It absolutely was. I've had some close encounters in the past, but today he/she actually touched me as it flew over. The stretch of path I was on is actually named "Buzzard Blitz" on Strava, so it has a certain noterity.

[Grannyhugs Graduate10 in reply to sTrongFuse]

I love some of the names folks have put on strava 😀

[sTrongFuse Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

The one on my local parkrun (Vogrie) called "car park to dogsh*t bin corner" is something of a classic. It does, hoever, describe the segment very accurately.

[RunaroundSue Graduate10 in reply to sTrongFuse]

I'll watch out for that if we ever get to Vogrie - couldn't quite fit it in on our last trip to that area.

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to sTrongFuse]

One segment that I ran on today is named "watch out for the poo".

[sTrongFuse Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

There's one in my village called "Graveyard shift". I'll let you guess...

[Joggingonthewildside in reply to nowster]

💩😂

[RunaroundSue Graduate10]

Wow, that must have been... interesting!Nice to see up close, but maybe not quite so close.

[sTrongFuse Graduate10 in reply to RunaroundSue]

Interesting is definitely one word for it.Given that the section he "defends" is begining to get quite overgrown with brambles and nettles, I suspect it will be my last encounter with him until the undergrowth dies back again in winter.

[RunaroundSue Graduate10 in reply to sTrongFuse]

Probably a good idea

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Eek! 😬Yes, that’s a little too close! Hope you’re ok now?! 🙂

[sTrongFuse Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

I'm fine. The nettle stings and bramble scratches were actually more bothersome. As I said to RunaroundSue above, I suspect that's my last outing on that section until much later in the year as it will be virtually impassible (even without the buzzard) soon until it dies back in late autumn.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

That was a close encounter for you during your run today with that buzzard sTrongFuse, I don't think that it was trying to attack you but get to that fly at your eye level.

I was at St Andrews 2 weeks ago and for "lunch" I was walking slowly along a cliff eating a toasty and there was this seagull diving very very close to me, I am sure it wanted my lunch, I shielded my toasty with my left hand and waved my right hand at the seagull and shouted at it to get to🤣I think it got the message and flew away allowing me to eat my delicious toasty.

[sTrongFuse Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

You might be right, but this buzzard has quite a reputation when it comes to patrolling its territory. The are absolutely magnificent birds though and, shock to the system and scratches aside, it is a genuine privilige to actuall get that close to one. There are quite a few nesting pairs that I encounter flying low over the trails and paths around mine, and I always love it when they swoop down low in front or beside me, but this is the only one that I've ever been (quite literally) in touching distance of and it is very much this one's trademark.

I've had to defend more than one fish supper from seagulls in my time...

[Newbie59]

That is one amazing brave bird!

[Hidden]

🦅!! Gosh!! That’s quite an experience 😱 both thrilling and scary at the same time! There are buzzards and red kites on my routes and they put on quite a show when they’re hunting. It’s great to watch them but fortunately they are far more interested in little critters than runners or walkers. Perhaps a cap 🧢 would be useful on your next visit to Buzzard Blitz?😉

[sTrongFuse Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Might resort to wearing my cycling helmet, ir maybe invest in a scrum cap.

[Joggingonthewildside]

😮 🦅🏃‍♀️ bet that helped your running speed 😂 what an encounter !

[sTrongFuse Graduate10 in reply to Joggingonthewildside]

Sadly, the reverse. The section he patrols has become heavily overgrown in the few weeks since I last did it so I was concentrating (or trying to) on my footing whule simultaneously trying to keep an eye out for him making another pass. I never realised how hard it is to look up and down at the same time...

[Curlygurly2 Graduate10]

Oh that's scary....

I startled a massive eagle once, it flew up out of the tree I was running under. I reckon I had a lucky escape, it's wingspan was at least two metres. It could have done me a severe mischief or even flown off with me...

[sTrongFuse Graduate10 in reply to Curlygurly2]

Sounds like a pretty amazing encounter though.