Road Runner on Red Wagon

I saw a road runner, just once, in the San Marcos Nature Preserve.

One visited our yard a few days ago on Las Canoas near the Botanic Garden.

They are listed as uncommon in the County. We had one "run" across San Roque Road last week just above Foothill. Only being seen locally with any frequency, a week or 2 at best at either San Marcos Foothill Preserve or even less at Farren Road. Used to have one daily at our County Road yard before I retired. It would sit on my truck hood getting all excited looking in the windshield and then sitting on and peeking in my open window trying to figure out where the other one went.

Reading this article led me to learn that roadrunners are about the only predator of the tarantula hawk wasp, which led to an article on the Schmidt Sting Pain Index. Some of his pain descriptions are pretty hilarious:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schmidt_sting_pain_index

They're around. We spotted one a few months ago, about 1/2 mile east of The Bacara. Gone in a flash, just as you'd expect.---------------Rand E. ---- Looks like "your" Roadrunner is in need of a chauffeur. Take the hint. (Cool pic.)

They're such cool dino birds! Thanks for sharing. We interacted with one close up in Paso Robles years ago, but none since. Sure wish yours would pay us an occasional visit. I wonder if pesticides have worked their way up the food chain and reduced road runner populations in developed areas (e.g. ant poison affecting lizards, and either reducing road runner food or maybe carrying enough insecticide to harm them). In anticipation of the low brow Wile E quips, my own surname spelling tribe has strong mutual admiration and respect for road runners. ;)

I used to live near 154 and Foothill and there was a roadrunner that kept me company a lot. He (I think) was very inquisitive and would come into my garage as I was working on my car or just left the door open. He stayed for a few years but disappeared. I assumed he was looking for a mate so maybe he found a happy place.

Love it!