Just when you've thought you've seen it all.....

Today, heading to work this morning, I'm driving down the normal route out of town; a rural backroad that connects to another county highway, when out of the ditch on the driver's side hops a

Bald Eagle

which then decides NOW is the time to start flying directly in front of the car! I slammed on the brakes & missed this flying behemoth by mere frackin' inches. I could see its eyes as it was flying in front of me.

(note to self - check for skid marks tomorrow morning. On the road, that is!)

Now guys, we've probably ALL had our experiences with birds; I can't count how many robins, sparrows, goldfinches, etc. I've managed to whack over the years but I've never had an experience like this before. Turkeys, Sandhill Cranes, Turkey Vultures, yes, but none of those have ever so completely invisible as this eagle was. Besides, they're big, you can't miss them! I always have my eyes peeled down this stretch of road because deer are a nuisance & this road, like most WI roads, doesn't have much more than the typical 2" of shoulder with woods and/or corn fields on either side.


Then you start thinking about what you would've done if you'd have hit it! I'm sure as heck not touching a pissed-off & hurt eagle - not without rhinoceros-hide gloves.
Who do you call in the middle of frickin' nowhere to report an injured eagle? The cops? The sheriff's? The local paper (because NOBODY is gonna believe THIS one!)?

Critters - I don't worry about other cars, I worry about nature.