Mom remarked on a number of occasions last time she and Dad were here visiting that she had never seen an armadillo, live or dead. This is sort of a funny statement because in Austin, although they are the unofficial state mascot, they are a lot like rats. You really can't drive many places without coming along one or more dead ones in the road.
Anyhow, since then, I've been somewhat obsessed with photgraphing or getting some video of a live armadillo for my mother. I thought my best chance slipped away last weekend in Boerne when I nearly tripped over one outside the hotel on my way to load the bike before the race. No camera and no time, I watched him wander, unconcerned, back into the brush after nosing around the entrance to the hotel.
Last night, Darlene and I were driving around the neighborhood so I could clock off the mileage for this morning's long run. We saw something decent sized in the road ahead moving along the curb. It crossed in front of us and we saw it was a smallish, young armadillo. This time I was armed with my new camera phone. Although it doesn't take the highest quality pictures and doesn't have a flash, you can get an idea of what it looks like.
This little guy was pretty unconcerned by me following it closely and trying to snap pictures. I've seen much bigger; this guy was only about 16" snout to tail. He nosed around the curb, crawled over it and rooted around until it took him back into the brush.
So there you have it Mom. We'll try to get you another when you're here in town.
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