I have a soft spot for coyotes that goes all the way back to my time growing up on the Montana farm.
- I have a busy day today. That fact combined with our recent storms that have prevented me from being out in the field are responsible for me posting some older images recently and that trend may or may not continue for another day or two. These photos were taken two years ago tomorrow along the causeway to Antelope Island.
1/800, f.5.6, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
I found this coyote along a rocky stretch of the causeway just as the sun was beginning to peek over the nearby Wasatch Mountains to the east. We’re just beginning to see the golden glow of warm light on the coyote and rocks but the water and sand in the background retain their cool colors. The contrast of a warm subject and cool background appeals to me.
Coyotes are shy so they aren’t often seen along the narrow causeway in full daylight because of increasing traffic but they’re easier to find in the brief predawn as they hunt for voles and scrounge for potential carrion, usually ducks.
I like seeing the coyote against the water of the Great Salt Lake as a backdrop and how the rising sun has lit up its yellow-brown eyes.
1/800, f.5.6, ISO 1250, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Three minutes later the coyote was headed back to the relative safety of Antelope Island proper along the sandy beach. “He” was a little closer to me now so occasionally he looked my way as he checked me out to make sure I wasn’t a potential threat. Soon after I took this shot I continued to the island and let him make the rest of the trip in peace.
Baby it’s cold outside! Especially for October. As I type this at 4:50 AM my thermometer reads 13° F and it’s likely to drop even more before the sun comes up. Record low temperatures are being set all over Utah and in many other areas of the intermountain west. In some ways I actually welcome these temperatures after such a long, hot and dry summer. I’m hoping they’ll bring in more migrating birds, raptors especially, and though I’ll soon grow weary of the cold I find it refreshing for now.
For me one of the few downsides to the record cold is the absolute certainty that uninformed and self-serving folks, including but not limited to idiot politicians and pundits, will try to use it as “evidence” to dispute the climate crisis. I expect that trend to dramatically increase in certain media outlets and on social media beginning today. I can hardly wait…
And the beat of ignorance, greed and self destruction goes on.
Ron
Sunka olowan🤘👍❤️
Isn’t that the truth! Every cold snap and the deniers all holler “What warming!” If only people would engage the cerebral cortex a little more!
Fantastic shots Ron!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
Ron, what a beautiful animal. The shimmering fur, beautiful tail and striking eyes make for a great photo. We know that at least one coyote hangs around in Little Cottonwood Canyon. I’m sure there are more, if there is one!! Thank you
Thanks, Alice. Yes, I’m sure there are more of them there.
The first shot is such an evocative image. And I love seeing all the fur detail in the second shot.
Haven’t been out on the roads early enough to see the local coyotes, but have occasionally heard them along the river when I’ve taken mama dog out for her middle-of-the-night constitutionals.
California is on fire (again/still) and while the temps down here aren’t too bad this week, low humidity and high wind gusts are making things worse. Most of our state Legislators seem to get it, but…yeah…don’t get me started. 🙁
I agree, Marty – for me that first shot is something special.
When I lived in Poway and even when I lived on the outskirts of Escondido we used to see coyotes walking both streets in front of our houses. But that was about 60 years ago, so I don’t know if they still do it.
A gorgeous beast. Thank you.
As I type it is nearly 4.30 am and it is around 70F and going to get hotter. I would swap temperatures with you in a heart beat. Sadly our governing party doesn’t think climate change is nearly as important as the economy (and have rather a lot of fossil fuel magnates as close allies).
It’s a truly gorgeous day outside right now, EC. Brilliant blue sky, not even a breeze and 35° F.
Beautiful photos. I love Coyotes as well. Even we were cool this morning. In the 30’s, early for here.
And in some areas it’s unusually hot. Typical of climate change. Thanks, Jean.
Great timing. I was listening to our local coyote “conversation” last night. Perhaps commenting on the balmy 29° temperature. We have an especially slimy breed of politicians here among a large climate aware population. They run ads expressing their concern for the environment and might even mention climate change, and, if elected, then push an agenda that Trump would say is perfect.
Wow, sounds like your politicos in that party are almost as slimy as ours here in Utah, Lyle.
Beautiful pictures. I look forward to seeing your posts first thing in the morning.
I’m happy to know that, Susan.
Nice photos Ron of one of my favorite wild creatures. When we first moved here to Prescott 13 years ago I could not go out looking for photo ops or to walk my dog without running into one or more. And today we still have plenty of them, but with the huge influx of overtaxed Californians creating a building bonanza we are much less likely to see them. I fully understand the sadness of those who have lost a little dog to a coyote jumping their fence, but it does sadden me when they write in to the paper demanding that we kill them all. They are beautiful animals who are a significant and important part of the environment. It will be sad indeed should they ever be forced to leave.
Everett, we so easily forget that coyotes were here first and WE’RE the invaders.
He’s a beauty! 🙂 Have mixed feelings about them and don’t want them in the yard – they rarely cross the creek to do that but do get in close now and again. “Darlin’ Deer” (Destructive White tails) know that unfortunately and take advantage. 🙁 Careful with the dog since they’ll lure them out and kill them – cat on her own. 8 with “breeze” this morning – TOO cold for this time of year. God for bid politicians or govt. have to do something constructive to help mitigate climate change – that would cost $$$ they don’t want to spend. 😉
Judy, cousin Ken on the farm used to call anything less than a 40mph wind… “just a breeze”.
That’s about the size of it! 🙂
This coyote is a cute-ey! Can’t say the same for our politicians (who actually think we’re the idiots).
Agreed, he’s a handsome critter. I actually think a lot, perhaps even most, of those politicians know better. They just won’t buck the party line for their own selfish reasons.
Climate Change…sigh. We need scientists in government, don’t we? Unfortunately, they are too smart for that! I like coyotes as well. I am on the lookout for them when I go to let the dogs out though. We’ve had a few dog-snatching incidents in my neighborhood. But? We did take over their neighborhood. So I am simply vigilant. And the cats are ALWAYS indoors unless they are in their catio (we call it MewMew…) which is screened with heavy fencing wire.
Arwen, I think you have the right attitude toward coyotes as far as your pets are concerned, for what that’s worth…
I love that your archive photos tend to have been taken at about the same time of year it is now. You can’t get out there but you show us what is probably out and about as if you were there. Stay warm! It’s cold here in Colorado, too, and I’m not ready for it.
Linda, that’s exactly why I often search my archives for older photos taken at the same time of year. It reminds me of what might be available now and where I might find it.
Beautiful, as far as I’m concerned you can put these and other mammals (weasel maybe)up anytime, old seen before, doesn’t matter. Birds, wildlife anything natural history you have my vote!!!
Ha, I should have guessed weasels would be on your list! Thanks for the encouragement Dick.
Incredible photos! Love the catch light and beautiful colors!
Thanks very much, Heidi.
Thank you for pictures of this beauty.
You’re welcome, Sarah.
A beautiful creature; he looks to be quite healthy. Love that tail. I glanced out in a field as I was going back to MI late Monday a.m. and saw three feasting on something…most likely a deer that had been hit. Three inches of snow there and here which melted quickly but today cold settles in… perhaps with that we’ll get more leaves to drop.
Thanks, Kathy. Leaves around here were falling like a snowstorm yesterday. The street behind my home (Potomac) is lined with Bradford Pear trees that have crimson leaves this time of year. I can see those trees out my kitchen and dining room windows and at sunset they light up like fire. They’re absolutely gorgeous.
But by yesterday afternoon most of those red leaves had dropped so the pavement itself almost looked like it was covered in blood.
Gorgeous, as always.
Thank you, Suzanne.