We’ve had mostly gray, wet skies for almost a week now and I’ve done very little shooting in that time so these coyote images are from my archives. Both were taken on Antelope Island on the same day last August.
1/1600, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I’ve always been a fan of monochromatic images and I love all the shades of similar colors here – even those beautiful eyes fit the bill. The warm light of the early morning sun helped to pull it all together for me. This coyote had been hunting and paused for a brief moment at just the right angle to the sun to put interesting light on almost the entire body.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
An hour and a half later the light wasn’t nearly so warm but I thought this shot was interesting for a couple of reasons. It is not unusual for coyotes to hang around bison but unless they have calves the behemoths generally ignore them entirely. I thought the relative size perspective of the two mammals was interesting,
The coyote is a young one, probably born that spring. I was struck by the “saddle” marking on its back which I thought was somewhat unusual (a Google image search of “young coyotes” didn’t bring up any images that show similar markings).
Two years ago the Utah Legislature established the euphemistically named “Mule Deer Protection Act” which provided $500,000 of taxpayer money to pay hunters $50 for every coyote they kill. The stated purpose of the act was to increase our Mule Deer herds, despite the fact that many professionals warned that it wouldn’t work (I have strong suspicions that one of the primary motivations for politicians to pass the act was to placate the all-powerful livestock industry). To date 7119 coyotes have been killed for bounty and $355,950 have been paid to hunters but our Utah Mule Deer populations have not increased – not a whit. In addition there are strong suspicions that many of the coyotes turned in for bounty were not taken in Utah but in Nevada or Idaho instead. And at least some hunters have attempted to turn in the same coyotes for bounty twice, thus scamming and double-dipping the system. See this recent story from KSL for more information if you’re interested.
For now at least, coyote hunting is not allowed on Antelope Island. But given the pressure from hunters, the susceptibility of our State Parks to being seduced by money provided by “trophy hunts” and other forms of hunting (some large mammals are already hunted on the island, a State Park) and the gun-happy tendencies of our myopic Utah State Legislature it wouldn’t surprise me to see some form of coyote hunting allowed on Antelope Island at some time in the future.
I fervently hope it doesn’t happen.
Ron
You’re probably right about the livestock industry really being the one pulling the strings on this one, Ron. Sad, and even sadder that people scammed the already faulty system. Read about a similar plan to poison thousands of ravens, equally ill conceived, and the animal it was purported to help was mostly being hurt by habitat destruction anyway, not ravens. What a screwed up country we live in.
i have seen that patch of darker hair on the shoulders but not marked as this one.
Just gorgeous!! Amazing colors!
To Susan Stone: For once, that was neither a “typo”…nor “editing” by the Evil Ipad….
That makes it even better, Patty!
Beautiful photos. Ridiculous legislation. Harrumph and here’s hoping that greater wisdom wins out !
Yes…your blog is called “Feathered Photography” (or “birds of a feather…etc.) but that in no way implies that ALL your subject matter must be about birds…to me, it implies nature photography…which it is. Talking about semantics, there’s a word for putting aside one’s principles for money, it’s called PROSTITUTION!!! Also called “WHORING” (sp?)…..there is also a word for hunting for the “thrill” of it…MURDER!!! Save your righteous indignation, folks…I’m not happy about, but OK with hunting for food. The idea of hunting in a game preserve…or “game “farm”…is completely cowardly and odious to me. I still prefer the idea of a different kind of hunting grounds, one where there truly is a “level playing field” (OK! There could be some hills and hollows). Thrill-seeking hunters , for a small fee, would hunt each other, the winner, of course, being the survivor. The cost of mounting the heads of the vanquished could be covered by additional fees. As Monia Lewdinsky says, “It’s consensual” so no charges would be brought.
Great idea, Patty!! That would solve a lot of societal problems. (And I love, love, love your spelling of Monica Lewinsky’s name… sometimes typos are a good thing. 😀 )
Sometimes I think our world would be improved if we were as quick to pay a bounty for NOT killing things. And yes, I know, I am a dreamer and it won’t be a happening thing.
At least one of our State Governments is opening the National Parks up to hunters. Hiss and spit doesn’t begin to cover what I feel.
Love your beautiful coyote – and bison.
Thank you.
Beautiful photo. Coyotes have killed calves on my neighbor’s farm, but they needn’t be scapegoated – does no one good. I hope Antelope Island remains a safe haven for them.
We don’t have coyotes in Portugal so it is hard to forget the two I saw back in 1994 when I went to the U.S. to visit a friend of mine in Oregon.
They were both dead and someone put them on the top of that country road traffic sign.
You can imagine how I felt.
Thank you for showing me their beauty alive. It helps me to erase a bit that image I still have in my mind.
I’ve seen disturbing scenes like that too, Jorge – even did a blog post on it once. It was disgusting but it needed to be exposed.
He could be a ‘show’ coyote!
GREAT photos, per usual. Re: the legislation, picture me slapping the palm of my hand to my forehead. Imagine, you pay people to kill coyotes and then they PRESSURE YOU for more opportunities to make more $$. How could they have possibly predicted that? *sigh*
*Sigh* is right, Biobabbler.
The idea of hunting in state parks is disgusting to me. I happen to like coyotes. And from living in an area (Southern California) where we would see them in our community on trash day because they were being crowded out of their habitat, I understand why they do things – like hunting livestock – that upsets ranchers. I really hope that your ‘myopic state legislature’ doesn’t do something stupid like allowing hunting on Antelope Island. Coyotes would not bother ranchers if the ranchers did not impinge so thoroughly on their territory. The second photo is interesting for multiple reasons, but I love the first one. I, too, have long been a fan of monochromatic, and the light in it is wonderful. It’s nice to see that both of these beautiful animals look healthy. I hope they can stay that way and live long, good lives.
“The idea of hunting in state parks is disgusting to me.”
That’s exactly how I feel, Susan. But the last trophy Mule Deer tag for the island auctioned off at $305,000 to a rich Idaho hunter and the state simply can’t resist the temptation to sacrifice good practices, principle and logic for money. There’s a word for that…
I swear, if the state figured they could make money from hunting them there’d be vole, badger, porcupine and raccoon hunting seasons too. I wonder if they’ve ever considered the possibility of a brine fly trophy hunt on the island – some of them can get pretty big and who knows what the rich boys would be willing to pay…
I just love the idea of hunting brine flies!!! I hate the fact that money speaks louder to most people that reason or common sense. On our recent cruise, apparently the cruise director was removed from his job because someone with money didn’t like him. Money and prejudice won out against the fact of this person being very good at his job. Go figure.
Then we’d have to offer a $50 bounty on Northern Harriers because of the damage they do to the vole population…
Your blog title notwithstanding, Ron, this post is why I am happy you do not restrict your photography to birds. That first photo is one of the most beautiful portraits of a noble beast I have ever seen. Excellent work!
Thanks very much, Dwynn. Yes, I’ve sometimes wondered about the inconsistency of my blog title when I post non-avian subjects but since about 95% of my posts involve birds I’m just going to live with it rather than change my ways…
Hi Ron,
I have been subscribing to your posts for a couple of months now. Seeing a new “alert” is one of the high points of opening my email. Your images are absolutely awe inspiring, and your notes always a treat to read. But more than these, I truly admire your attitude towards your craft and your subjects.
I’ve been wanting to say “Thanks!” for quite some time, but your Coyote post finally overcame my inertia. Beautifully done, and I couldn’t agree more. For your information, we’re no better in my part of Canada, where these wonderful creatures are lied about, persecuted and classed as “vermin.” As a result, they are considered “fair game” for every thrill killer, “wannabe wilderness man (or woman),” and farmer too lazy to mind his stock. Sorry for the rant, but this really touched a nerve.
Again, for all your efforts: thank you, good luck, and God Bless!
Bill Maciejko
Camp Morton, MB
Welcome, Bill. And no reason to apologize for the rant – occasionally it’s good for the soul and on this one I couldn’t agree with you more.
A wonderful pose by this coyote, you captured! I am so sorry for the serious deficit in intelligence that some state politicians and some federal legislators have concerning predators and above all their inability to withstand pressure against the facts. They sound as though, if they lived back in the 1500’s, they would have fervently supported the earth being flat. I am dismayed and saddened by their support of the hunting and gun lobby. I am not against hunting per se, but to blame natural predators is lunacy, and to think I used to be a competitive rife coach.
This war on predators defies all logic, Dick. And personally, I see nothing necessarily inconsistent with your views and being a competitive rifle coach.
Wonderful Images Ron ! The only way to “shoot” these awesome animals, is with a camera .
I couldn’t agree more, John.
Great shots Ron and very interesting indeed!
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte.