I, generally, do not mind bats but they have creeped me out a couple times. Once I was staying at a log cabin in British Columbia, a big place, and bats were evident on the upper floor. You would see them swoop and dart by at night and see their droppings. Another time, the wife and I were in Cancun, walking down an alley from a restaurant after having great coconut prawns, and there was a really big bat -- can you say Bella Lugosi lives -- and he or she kept following us, keeping pace, and diving right above our heads. He made spacey noises too.
Now, had I been less of a macho man, more like my friend Charlie B, I probably would have started screaming like a little girl and run down the alley with my arms flapping. As it was, I just speeded up and got the heck out of there as soon as was possible. The wife was pretty mad about that by the way, I left her in my dust, that big bat firmly embedded in her neck. No just kidding about that.
I think if more people knew what bats looked like up close, they would find them even creepier. The photo below is one of the most common bats in my area. He is a good little insect catcher, much better than fly paper. But take a look at that mug. He sure ain't son in law material.

Steven L. Smith
Bellingham WA Home Inspections






Well Adam,
"You are right - everyone has a phobia". I thought so too, now I find out that Ol' Charlie B is more macho than me, which I had not thought was possible till now. So much for my first disappointment of today.
Hi Steven,
It's spiders for me. Although others sometimes do it.
I worked with a colleague once that had a 14 foot python in her office. I went in once, noticed that the snake was not in its cage and wondered why she took it out, and then I heard the hiss. I cleared the office of furniture upon my exit, and never went back in there again. It had actually found a way to escape and was hanging from the rafter.
Bill-- Now that would be creepy. Hissing snakes really creep me out.
Steve -- Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Proof positive there.
Barbara,
Thanks for thinking of me anyway. While the rest of the face is different, don't you agree that the ears kind of look like Charlie B?
Because I know how much Steve likes snakes I was going to withhold this picture---but the "ear" comment put me over the top!
Charlie,
That snake is so old news. How many times you posted that now? Stop living in the past. By the way, upon review I am pretty sure Barbara will agree about the ears.
Barbara, hopefully you won't find a Batty fellow like this in your attic
Well,
I will concede that I cannot compete with that. Fact is Charlie, being a graduate of art school, has found an excellent way to use his talents that move society forward and to do good works -- like making fun of poor pitiful me. When it comes to the composite photos, I surrender and say Charlie is King.
David,
Thanks to you it is 19! Speaking of "old bats" how are you doin"?
HHHmmm, I don't mind bats too much. The attics in the apartment I use to own had alot of bats. Here is a pic of one of our children, which would give many people the creepy feeling...
This is "Jake the Snake".
Sean Allen
Sean,
Your child would creep me out. Indiana Jones too -- "I hate snakes."