Coyotes sometimes prowl the causeway to Antelope Island early in the morning. While they’ll certainly take the occasional vole they may come across, voles aren’t really their intended quarry. There are far more voles on the island than there are along the causeway. Coyotes come onto the causeway to scavenge.
1/2500, f/5.6, ISO 640, 500 f/4, not baited
During winter there are many ducks along the causeway and occasionally one of them dies – an easy meal for a coyote. But most often these coyotes are after falcon leftovers. Peregrine Falcons and Prairie falcons often hunt the causeway and most ducks are too large for either species to completely consume, so there’s nearly always leftovers.
Three days ago I found this coyote with a duck. The bird appeared to be frozen so I suspect it was carrion. Here, the coyote couldn’t decide which way to go with its meal – left or right, because the causeway is narrow and the animal is confined by the lake in the back and the road in front, which gave me an indecisive posture that I like (despite the side light).
Ron
..Here in the suburbs coyotes will eat almost anything including small dogs and cat’s. They are very curious animals and have been followed by them quite a bit…….Love the image…….good eye. Yes Ron I agree with you on the lenses.
Fran – Yes, coyotes can be an issue for some in the suburbs. A friend in Palm Springs lost his small dog to a coyote who jumped over a fence to attack it in his back yard.
Thank you for the reply Ron and keep the great images coming……
Oh wow. Again. I am guarenteed education and entertainment when I come to visit. And who can ask for more. Thank you.
Thanks very much, Elephant’s Child.
I like the side light and the framing. Ron, I posted a second episode of the gamecock issue. I felt I was at a disadvantage because it was an indoor, low light situation. Have you ever considered a full frame DSLR body for those “low light” situations? Yet I know the crop factor body is a must for wildlife photography
Maria, no I’ve never seriously considered going with a full frame body. All I had to ask myself was “how often do I need the 1.6 crop factor compared to how often do I need the better ISO performance?” Since I shoot mostly birds, for me the answer was a no-brainer. I’ve been known to change my mind in the past but I’m certainly not there yet and I don’t want to invest in too many cameras. I’d much rather put my money into quality lenses.
THis is a FABULOUS SHOT!!!!! What a beautiful fluffy boy (or girl???) HOw cool!!! Thanks again Ron, you’re keeping us entertained and also for increasing our knowledge of the natural world and making us keep our promise to our children that we have to learn something NEW, every day!!!
I really liked your comment, Nicole. Made my day.
Nice shot, great expressiveness.
I appreciate the comment, Lane.
Wonderful shot. I also like the side lighting. If working out the exposure was easy, we’d all be making images this good! (Well, THAT’S an exaggeration!)
I interpret his nervousness not only to deciding the best route but to having a really nice meal that he’s anxious to take home before something tries to get it from him. Of course, I may be ascribing a human trait to the coyote, in which case I offer him my humble apology.
I think you’re right, Wally. The coyote did seem nervous about protecting its meal.
Love the shot, Ron.
Thank you, Bob.
Great pic Ron. The hunters disparage the poor northern shoveler but this coyote will think it a good meal! When I was at FS, they pretty much made their living off of lost or crippled birds during the season. As soon as the hunting season ended, the poor coots started getting hammered!
Jay, The shoveler seems to be the staple diet of falcons (and thus the coyotes) on the causeway, even though there’s a variety of species to choose from out there. I’ve wondered if they’re somehow easier prey than other ducks. I doubt if this bird was a cripple because hunting along the causeway has been banned, as of this year.
The largest (by far) raft of coots that I’ve ever seen was at Fish Springs, on the same trip where I first met you.
Hey, I love the side light! It gives the scene a definite feeling of time of day, and adds to the story line which this photo just begs to tell! Beautiful shot!
Thanks, Tana. I like the effect of the sidelight too, but it sure made for a challenging exposure…