QotD: It's A Wild, Wild Life

When was the last time you interacted with any sort of wildlife?
Submitted by warpedreality.

Admittedly, I'm a pretty indoorsy person, so I honestly can't remember the most recent time I interacted with wildlife.

However, here's a story that will illustrate the kind of effect I have on animals.

A couple of years ago, Hubby and I were vacationing on the Big Island.  I love animals and will take any opportunity to photograph them.  If you've been to the Big Island, you know that there are acres upon acres of lush green pastureland where cattle freely graze.  We happened to see a lone cow grazing not too far from the fenceline, so I asked Hubby to pull over.  The fence wasn't really a fence as much as it was just a few strands of heavy gauge wire strung between wooden posts -- not much in terms of resistance if a half-ton cow decided to charge me.

I got out of the rental car and quietly stalked to the fence to get a good angle for my photo op.  Just as I whipped out my camera, the cow snapped his head toward me, dropped suddenly into a crouch, and shot off in the opposite direction.  I have never seen a cow run that fast in my entire life.

When he moved so suddenly, poised to sprint, I saw my life flash before my eyes and I read the headlines: "Local woman killed by raging cow".  Not the way I envisioned leaving this world.

As I turned around, my heart pounding in my chest like a jackhammer, I saw Hubby sitting behind the wheel of the rental car, laughing hysterically.

I guess I won't be getting any gigs with National Geographic anytime soon.