Road Kill

One way that we urban dwellers often encounter wild animals is dead. I see road kill from time to time year-round, but recently I have seen more road kill than usual and all the ones I could recognize have been possums. I think that possums probably stick closely to gutters and back yards except during the dating season. Right now they are out and about, traveling across thoroughfares that their raccoon, skunk, and squirrel friends are better at navigating or avoiding.

Marine Mammals

I take the bus to work, across the bridge. From the bus, you get a great view over the bay, because the bus seats put you higher up than car seats do. This morning I saw a seal or a sea lion swimming around under the bridge.

I also swim in the bay from time to time, but I've never met a marine mammal while I was swimming. I saw a seal once in La Jolla Bay, in San Diego, about 100 yards away. My friend and I had to remind each other not to swim over and check it out.

Me: "I really want to go see it closer."
Friend: "Don't. It's bad for you and for it and it's illegal."
Me: "Well, I know."
Friend: "I really want to swim over there too."
Me: "Don't. It's bad for you and for it and it's illegal."
Friend: "I know."
Me: "I really want to go see it closer."

I also see cormorants from the bridge, but I've never seen a nesting falcon.