Reflections on Road Kill

After traveling around 6000 miles (I will let you know my exact total in another blog) I have seen more than my fair share of road kill. At the beginning of my trip I did as many, I assume do, grimace and try to put the unpleasant vision out of my mind. But as the miles rolled by, I couldn’t help but do a little reflecting on the roadside carnage. I blame the raccoons. There were just so many of them after awhile I couldn’t help myself. They were arranged in several positions and almost entirely on the right side of the road where I had a good view of them. The modest ones were curled up as if sleeping (my favorite if I had to have one) to the gory pinks smear with only a tail to identify the species. There was the front leg splay, the full splay, the back sleeper, and the smudge. Occasionally I came across the black and white road kill that left a lingering scent for the next few miles so you couldn’t forget quite so quickly. On my return trip the rabbits, antelope and deer decided to join in. Fortunately I didn’t hit anything live except the bugs that smeared my windshield. But my heart has stopped a half a dozen times with the sight of a deer inches from the road. I didn’t take the time to stop and photograph any scenic road kill for you… so no pictures on this one.