I love it when critters overcome a stacked deck and beat the odds against their survival.
1/1250, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM @ 349mm, not baited, set up or called in
Yesterday morning at the crack of dawn we saw two coyotes coming toward us from the west along the causeway to Antelope Island. Initially they were both on the south side (bad light) of the causeway but this one immediately crossed the road in front of me and into good light and then continued toward the mainland.
1/1650, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM @ 350mm, not baited, set up or called in
It kept looking back (to our left in this image) toward its companion who was lagging far behind and eventually it very deliberately laid down to wait for its buddy.
1/1250, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM @ 241mm, not baited, set up or called in
As the second coyote approached it became apparent by its demeanor that it was deferring to the larger, more dominant animal but there was obvious affection between them…
1/1250, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM @ 241mm, not baited, set up or called in
as they greeted and sniffed each other (for those wondering, the black specks on the water are brine flies).
1/800, f/9, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM @ 400mm, not baited, set up or called in
Because of the light, poses and apparent fondness of the coyotes for each other this might be my favorite photo of the two of them. But it also reveals something else. I know that coyote on the left! I recognize it because of the curved scar on its snout and I refer to that particular animal as “Scarface”.
A note about how I feel about giving “cutesy” pet names to wild animals – it’s a practice I generally try to avoid because it just doesn’t feel right to me (others have different opinions and that’s ok). That said, there are times when it becomes just too convenient for easy identification of individuals to resist and I do occasionally succumb to the temptation. Scarface is an example and there are others – Gimpy, the bison with the broken rear leg, Curlique, the pronghorn with the curled and deformed horns and Minerva, the meadowlark that allows me so ridiculously close as it sings from the same signpost perch. There have been others…
Scarface seems like an old friend of mine.
1/800, f/9, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM @ 400mm, not baited, set up or called in
But guess what? I also recognize the coyote on the right because of its distinctive “Roman” or aquiline nose. The coyote had been severely injured this past winter and I documented the injury with photos and a blog post. To illustrate that it’s the same animal I’ll post two of those images again, below. But be forewarned, the first shot is graphic.
1/1600, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
These two shots were taken this past February 16th and as you can see the injury was gruesome. It caused a severe swelling or bump on the bridge of its nose…
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
that was hideously obvious even on the other side of its face. And that disfigurement is still apparent almost four months later.
Ok, on to more pleasant things…
1/1600, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM @ 100mm, not baited, set up or called in
I thought some readers might enjoy seeing a couple of photos of one of the coyotes taken at wider angles so that the landscape and setting can be better appreciated. This is the causeway edge looking north. At this point the larger coyote is still waiting for its companion to approach from the left.
1/1600, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM @ 100mm, not baited, set up or called in
An almost full frame vertical composition reveals the extent of one relatively small arm of the Great Salt Lake and the Promontory Mountains in the upper background.
Coyotes regularly hunt the causeway and I’ve often wondered if the vast expanse of the lake on one side of them gives them a sense of security and potential escape (the water here is only a few inches deep) while they’re prowling the causeway just a few feet from the road and its attendant vehicles, bicycles, photographers on foot and other human activity. Coyotes have no fear of water and enter it readily in pursuit of prey or for other reasons.
Ron
Beautiful shots Ron. I am so glad to see the Coyote is ok. Your favorite photo, is also my favorite. I hope you see them again.
It’s so lovely to see that the poor “Roman” Coyote has made it through the winter! Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
You’re very welcome, Sharon. And thank you.
How simply wonderful. Happy dances from this side of the world.
I’d love to see your side of the world one day, EC. If I could only snap my fingers and be there and avoid all the hassles of getting there I’d probably do it. But dang, Australia is so incredibly far away. And I despise flying so much…
Ron, the other solution is to do what we do and get on a cruise ship. That’s how we’ve visited Australia. Somehow, I can’t quite see you on a cruise ship, but it is an option (I’m thinking of a more sedate line, NOT Carnival). 🙂
I don’t think it’s going to happen, Susan. I despise not having control of my destiny (I know, I’m likely a control freak). I prefer to go where I want, when I want and make my own decisions of the moment. Those options are sorely lacking on a plane, ship or any other mode of transportation where I’m not the “driver”. I’ve been that way forever and doubt I will change at my ripe old age, though I realize I’m missing out on a lot because of it.
A price I’m very willing to pay…
I get that, and am not at all surprised. I’ll have to send you pictures from when we are in Australia next year…
Beautiful pics! I love coyotes
Me too, Nicole. Thank you.
A wonderful sequence. Life can be good….
Thank you, Deborah.
This series touched my heart, Ron!! I feel coyotes are much maligned and yet they are a predator who is an important part of the wilderness. So glad our injured coyote has healed. Thought you & my fellow posters might like this article about coyotes & Dr. Robert Crabtree who has studied them for decades – http://www.predatordefense.org/coyotes.htm
Interesting article, Jo Ann – thanks for the link. I’d read it previously but did so again.
Interesting link…thanks…
Glad to see the one with the hurt snout is doing well. “Scarface” and “Roman” are great handles for coyotes. The 2nd picture is really lovely with the gold light.
“The 2nd picture is really lovely with the gold light”
I like that one too, Arwen and I think the laying down but still alert pose contributes. Thank you.
I am delighted to see that the one coyote’s wound has healed so well. It has really made my morning to see the photos of these two.
Thanks, Susan. It made my morning yesterday to see them too.
A nice change of pace…could almost feel the gentle, increasing warmth of morning sun. Especially enjoyed seeing the previously injured coyote looking healthy and content with his buddy…and their relationship makes me happy. Seeing that badly wounded one apparently doing so unexpectedly well made my day. I’d wondered what happened to poor thing. I name some of “our” birds, chipmunks and squirrels, too, for identification and reference…makes life easier when talking about them…rather than launch into a description each time
“makes life easier when talking about them…rather than launch into a description each time”
Exactly, Patty!
I sometimes do the same with people and for the same reason. You may recall from an earlier post that my great-grandfather Joseph Dudley killed a man who was having an affair with his wife (not my great-grandmother, long story…) back in 1879. He was charged with murder but after a 5 day trial was found not guilty by reason of self defense.
Anyway, Joseph had a son and a grandson both also named Joseph. In doing my family history it’s very confusing to keep three consecutive Joseph Dudley’s straight so I always affectionately refer to the first Joseph as “Killer Joe”. Works for me and I don’t think he minds…
I also understand the reluctance to “naming” just for the sake of naming. A friend gave me a beautiful photo of a young stag, partially abino…just a little brown on face and ears–pink around the eyes(dark) and on the nose…I did a painting of it. A well-known actor (woman) who lives in the area, saw it, too, and named it “Zephyr”–a nice enough name, but somehow it felt demeaning. It didn’t need a name…I don’t feel all things need to be “tagged”‘, given a label or name, by humans. In a way, ot feels like banding, which I understand, but hate. In this case, it served no purpose….
Well said, Patty.
What a wonderful find and series of shots! It’s exciting to find not only did they survive, but seems they have formed a special bond. How exceptional to have been able to observe and record this with such fantastic shots!
Charlotte
“seems they have formed a special bond”
Charlotte, I really enjoy watching these kinds of intimate behaviors through my long lens. It makes me feel like I’m right there with them and they’ve accepted me as part of their world. That’s not really the case of course, but heck – there’s nothing wrong with the occasional fantasy, IMO..
Beautiful images. That light is awesome.
I am so glad that it overcome the injury.
And yes I am one of those readers who likes to see wider angles, once in a while. The sence of perspective is important.
Thank you for today’s post.
“And yes I am one of those readers who likes to see wider angles, once in a while. The sence of perspective is important.”
I agree, Jorge. I like to see those “perspective” shots in the posts of others so I sometimes do it with my own blog. Seeing them just gives me a better feeling for the situation.
GREAT PIECE!! Wonderful followup on this winter’s shots.
He really does look good, but wasn’t he the distant one of three back in February?
Excellent shots Ron, and what a very nice surprise to catch up with “Scarface and Roman” and see how well they had fared though the winter into summer.
And, I like you names for them!!
“wasn’t he the distant one of three back in February?”
Yes, it was one of those three coyotes, Dick. At that point its snout was healing but didn’t look as good as it does now.
It was especially satisfying to see that coyote survive, especially after the recent one that had been shot in the leg, as I suspect that one is history by now…