Plus an unusual bird for me to see, much less photograph.
1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM @ 400mm, not baited, set up or called in
Almost nine years ago on the Antelope Island causeway I watched as this coyote approached me from the west right at the crack of dawn. When ‘he’ stopped to lie down in the warming sun he was so close to me I had to switch to my backup camera and ‘baby lens’ in order to get all of him in frame.
And he wasn’t alone.
1/800, f/9, ISO 500, Canon 7D, EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM @ 400mm, not baited, set up or called in
Soon another, slightly smaller coyote, the one on the right, joined him. They sniffed each other in a friendly manner and seemed really tight with each other. I recognized the coyote on the left from previous encounters because of the small, curved scar on his snout. I used to call him Scarface.
The first photo above is new to my blog but I posted this one in June of 2015. The very warm morning light, the attractive setting and their cozy body language make it one of my favorite coyote photos so I thought it deserved to be seen again.
On a completely unrelated note.
1/5000, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Late yesterday morning I found this migrating adult nonbreeding Horned Grebe at one of our local ponds. It’s a steep shooting angle and the light was marginal so it’s only a documentary photo but it’s quite unusual for me to see, much less photograph, a Horned Grebe so I wanted to report the sighting.
In over 13 years of blogging it’s only the third photo of a Horned Grebe I’ve ever posted to Feathered Photography.
Ron
That coyote was ready for his close-up. Love that elongated neck and gorgeous ears!
Great photos Ron.
I wonder if they were habituated to humans, and periodic feeding. There are always a few tourists willing to do this in Yosemite Valley, but if a park ranger catches them doing it, they’ll pay.
Thanks, Patrick. They may have been habituated to vehicles but probably not because of being fed.
The coyote shots in that wonderful, warm, golden light definitely deserved to see the light of day (or of a computer or phone screen). 😉 I’m so glad you included the first shot — he’s pretty special. I wonder if they’re a bonded pair.
And to think I finally get the ID markings down for the two B&W grebes and here you come throwing another one into the mix! 😈😂 Nice documentary shot — must have been some real excitement upon spotting this one!
“I wonder if they’re a bonded pair.”
I wondered the same thing, Marty. It was June, so maybe.
I wasn’t excited about the grebe at first. In nonbreeding plumage Horned Grebes look a lot like Eared Grebes so in the beginning I just thought it was an Eared Grebe.
Admiring your Beautiful Coyote photos – what exquisite animals!
And thanks for the horned grebe photo as well
Glad you enjoyed all three, Joanne.
Nice looking Coyotes and the Grebe. You always have a nice adventure when out and about with your cameras. Thank you.
“You always have a nice adventure when out and about with your cameras”
Thanks, Trudy. But you don’t know about all the times I get skunked!
Great coyote pictures and beautiful lighting! Was Scarface habituated to humans? Both of them a little on the skinny side.
“Was Scarface habituated to humans?”
John, to some degree he probably was, at least to some degree. The island’s coyotes sometimes get pretty accepting of vehicles.
Beautiful Ron. I love coyotes and have really enjoyed getting to know them since moving here 18 years ago. I run into them frequently and always enjoy meeting up with them. Of course I am not a farmer or rancher and have no pets in my backyard so that makes a difference.That early light really makes for a special photo. From what distance did you takes these?
I have seen all the Grebe varieties except for the Horned. Looked it up in our Prescott book and we have less than 5 sightings per year, so good chance I will continue to not see one.
” From what distance did you takes these?”
I’m guessing that I was about 40′ from them, or slightly less. Thanks, Everett.
Beautiful shots of the coyotes with the reddish coats even if a bit skruffy 🙂 Ours are more grey……the light perhaps? Obviously weren’t concerned about you! Always nice to be able to identify an individual when you see it again.
Horned Grebe interesting. Freezeout says migration is underway tho no Snow Geese or Tundra Swans yet.
Thanks, Judy. Yes, the warm light contributed to their reddish color. Normally they’re more brown than red but some can appear red in any light.
First I have seen of the pair of coyotes. Really nice. But I also really like the first one. So casual. Like looking at a domestic dog.
As for the grebe. Not great light but it is a really good photo nonetheless.
“Like looking at a domestic dog.”
That was my thought exactly, Michael. Thanks.