Two coyotes seeming to enjoy life. Both were photographed years ago on Antelope Island.
1/640, f/5.6, ISO 640, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
This young coyote in very warm light had been staring at me when ‘he’ suddenly decided to walk away to my left. In this pose it appears as if most of his body got the message, except for his right foreleg that was resisting and seemed to want to go the other way.
It’s a crossover pose that I find amusing. For me there’s an interesting triple tension in the image because his overall pose is turning to his right, his right leg appears to want to go to his left and the direction he’s looking splits the difference.
1/800, f/6.3, ISO 640, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Three weeks later I found this adult coyote that I always think of as Happy Coyote because ‘she’ gave me the impression that she was smiling at me. Perhaps even flirting with me. I got quite a few photos of her as she looked straight at me with a friendly, perhaps even playful, look on her face. When my pet dogs would look at me like this it could melt my heart.
1/320, f/8, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
She even turned more toward me and winked at me.
1/400, f/8, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
When her demeanor suddenly changed it almost looked like she was snarling at me but that’s deceiving. A deer fly had landed on top of her snout and just before this photo was taken she’d used her long tongue to wipe it away. The deer fly can’t be seen in this photo but it can be seen in other shots I took of her.
It may or may not be a stretch for me to assign elements of personality to these coyotes but it amuses me and this morning I could use some amusement.
Ron
PS – I’ve often wondered if the second coyote had an old injury to her right front leg because it appears to be swollen at the joint. But if that was the case it must have healed well because she walked and acted normally.
I am very fond of coyotes. That top pose is just fabulous. Course Correction! 😀
I also just sent you a fairly long email. You’re welcome! LOL
Course correction indeed.
I got your email, Arwen. I’ll respond later today. First I need a nap. I was up at 2:35 this morning, spent most of the morning out shooting and now I’m fading fast.
Wonderful photos. The first coyote is doing a Texas Turnback. You have to be a horse rider to know the step. The horse can turn around in a tight turn pivoting on one leg. Except you want the horses head turned in the direction of the pivot. I love the wink!
April, I’ve had horses I’ve been riding pull similar maneuvers unexpectedly. I usually ended up on the ground (I always rode bareback).
Texas turn Back! What a great name. 😀
Just lovely. And both are definitely smiling in my eyes. Of course animals have personalities. And, like people, some have poisonalities…
Thanks, EC. “Poisonalities” – another fun descriptor from down under.
Coyotes have long been frens of mine … Wile E. trying to kill my other fren Roadrunner notwithstanding. These are such great photos, and the two both look healthy and yes, “happy.” Resilient critters!
Jealous of your roadrunners, Chris. I’ve only seen a couple of them, years ago, and I’ve never photographed a single one.
Oh dear, I’m afraid I’ve misled you … I can only *wish* I had roadrunners; I was talking about our old Looney Tunes pals! 😂
The first photo might as well be the end of the rainbow, but instead of a pot of gold you found a treasure of a different sort.
I thought you had turned to painting for the second picture with the flowing, out of focus rocks at the bottom and a too perfect creature for a photo.
Third photo: one eye open, one eye closed, just like you.
Fourth photo: I’m still working on my snarl. How am I doing?
“I thought you had turned to painting”
Ha, that’ll be the day Lyle. When it comes to drawing/painting my talent quotient is on the negative side – less than zero, if that’s possible.
Delightful puppers! 🐶 Go ahead and assign all the personalities! 🙂
Thanks, Marty. I gave it my best shot.
Love coyotes – have commented before we have a lot of them in our neighborhood because we are adjacent to the Salt River Indian Reservation.
Need some amusement this morning? What’s the difference between an alligator and a crocodile?
One you’ll see later and one you’ll see after awhile. LOL!
😹
Love, love, love these shots! Especially that crossover and even better is that wink! Anthropomorphize all you like. Most of us do it most of the time I imagine; it’s initially how we attempt to understand our world and build relationships with the unfamiliar. And I’d tend to agree that anyone who has a heart that can’t be melted by eyes like that probably isn’t someone you’d want to know anyway. They’re a great warm and fuzzy mood booster for my day. Enjoy your nap.
Thanks, Granny Pat. I did! Just got up. Boy, I needed that one.
Kathleen, when it comes to amusement, every little bit helps.
Lovely photos Ron.
Thanks, Patrick.
I am a coyote admirer and love these four. Without an explanation it would certainly appear that your admiring smiling winking friend suddenly decided to turn on you. All four are excellent shots. Thanks for bringing these out of the moth balls.
I am seeing fewer and fewer coyotes as our land continues to be gobbled up for development by the fleeing Californians moving here.
Everett, I saw a lot of new development in the out of the way area I was in this morning. Makes me sick.
I’m convinced that both domestic dogs and coyotes “smile”– when they’re
relaxed and happy, they open their mouths slightly and pant lightly, often
while half-closing their eyes. I, too, find it “endearing” providing ( in the case
of the coyote ) that it doesn’t follow a satisfying meal of your own beloved
pet !
I agree, Kris. If it isn’t exactly a human version of a smile it’s certainly the dog version. And I think it means much the same thing.
Fun! 🙂 I do enjoy them when they aren’t in the yard! #1 really doesn’t look like it knows which way it wants to go – beautiful color! #2 does appear to be a happy camper – one could almost forget what efficient predetors they are! 😉 Deer fly got me the other day – little early for them here!
Cooled off to 59 last night (high of 95 today) so got the house cooled off some anyway……..
Judy, I spent this morning in a remote area that normally is loaded with mosquitoes, biting gnats and deer flies with a few horse flies this time of year. But I only saw a single lonely mosquito and not a single deer fly, horse fly or gnat,
They’ll get me next time. In spades.
Deer flies like eye and mouth fluids!! They’re extremely annoying to cattle and horses too. Good pixs Ron.
Thanks, Terri.