Standoff

Temperature at departure = 47° F (8° C)

I've been kind of surprised that this hasn't already happened this year (and believe I've mentioned it before) -- but this morning I finally had a standoff with an 8 point buck on the Indian Creek Trail Bike Path. This time wasn't nearly as bad as some of my previous encounters because there was plenty of green space available on one side of the path, but still was tense for a few moments.

I was riding along when I spotted him standing in the middle of the path. I didn't bother slowing down because the bucks this year have been a bit skittish; not this guy. He turned to face me so I slowed down and stopped about 12 yards away and waited for him to move. He, in turn, was waiting for me to turn around and go away. I shouted, waved my arms and dinged my bell to no avail. I finally resorted to talking to him like some people talk to babies or puppies: "Whoze th' wittle deerie? Whoze a big, big baby boy?" etc., etc. I don't know why I did it, but the beast must have gotten embarrassed or something because he turned tail and bounded off into the brush.

I took off and got about 5 yards before the stink hit me. Yup, must be rutting time. P! U!
Hopefully this will be my only close encounter this year.