When I visit Antelope Island I always try to arrive on the island proper a few minutes before sunrise. But that means that if I find any interesting photo subjects along the causeway on my way to the island, it’s before sunrise so light is marginal at best.
Foraging coyotes are the photo subject I find along the causeway most often but they’re usually on the west end of the seven-mile-long causeway, so I typically find them just before sunrise and just before I get on the island when the light isn’t too bad.
1/1000, f/5.6, ISO 2500, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
So five days ago I was surprised to find this coyote very soon after I got on the causeway, nearly 15 minutes before sunrise. ‘He’ was very intently hunting the tall grasses between us, which meant two things – he mostly ignored me, even though I was close and he was usually partially hidden by those same grasses.
I did the best I could with the light I had, especially when he…
1/800, f/5.6, ISO 2500, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
eventually gave up hunting the grasses and started to trot west toward the island. Getting him sharp as he ran in this low light was a challenge.
To me it almost looks like the tip of his tail has been chopped off. That whitish grass stem at the end of his tail enhances the apparent illusion.
A couple of months ago I learned from two impeccably reliable sources that coyotes are now being “controlled” on the island (something I’ve long suspected). Knowing what that means, I’m even more appreciative than I used to be when I see coyotes on the island or along the causeway.
Ron
Note: The motivation for controlling the island’s coyotes is to try to preserve the island’s namesake “antelope” (pronghorn). In one recent year, not a single pronghorn fawn survived. State Park staff have decidedly mixed feelings about it, as it flies in the face of their past mantra, “Let nature take its course”. It’s my understanding that the decision was made by DWR, not State Park staff.
Gorgeous canine there. Likely the coyotes would prefer just a renaming of the island in recognition of their presence. Difficult/sad situation all around … will be interesting to see whether the “control” program has any significant effect.
What a beaut! Love that first shot — definitely wall-worthy! 💜🐾 The Northern Utah Coyote subspecies always looks so much hardier than that of SoCal. I’ll admit that since I retired I miss seeing Coyotes in the early mornings on my way into school. Gotta haul my tuchis out of bed early one of these days.
Thanks, Marty. “Gotta haul my tuchis out of bed early one of these days? – How about tomorrow? 🙂
Good luck ‘controlling’ coyotes. I can see a one-off, to give Pronghorns a chance to get a foothold. But they’ll breed more, and get even smarter, to make their own comeback.
Cheryl, on such an isolated and relatively small ecosystem as the island they probably have a pretty good chance to “control” them. But in most situations you’re certainly right.
Maybe the dog food you saw to attract coyotes was bait to lure in coyotes for culling?
April, I highly doubt they’d have done it in such a public place (Frary Peak trailhead parking lot). The last thing they want is for the public to see them doing it, and complain about it. You never know but I suspect photographers.
Such a beautiful beast. Sigh at the ‘controlling’. The kangaroos in my city are also controlled which does my head and heart in every year.
You’re up early again, EC…
The word “control” is such a euphemism for what is often uncalled for, cruel and/or selfish actions and behaviors, that word makes me wince when used in this context.
Love coyotes and am fortunate to have them in my neighborhood here in AZ. They like to trot over from the adjacent Salt River Indian Reservation and hunt for small dogs left alone in back yards. We send a lot of coyote educational emails to our community to calm people down – and encourage pet owners to be mindful. It works until there is a kill howling session every few months which freaks people out.
Kathleen, when I lived in southern CA as a kid, coyotes would occasionally attack dogs in and near the area where I lived – which certainly does freak people out, just as you said.
Beautiful! I also prefer the 1st shot. 🙂
Coyote control is pretty much left to the “locals” (?) here. Some is truely pedator control especially in spring BUT there are plenty who just don’t like coyotes….. ;( I take exception to hunting them from planes but then that’s true of any hunting.
Here them here and we have one coming in the yard occationally which isn’t good for it’s health and welbeing tho I’ve only seen one other than on the critter cam. Bad news as dog took after that one – a good way for it (the dog) to die also since one will lure dogs out to their buddies…..
Judy, I strongly agree with you about hunting (of any kind) from planes.
Super shots!
Thanks, Charlotte.
Very nice shots Ron especially in that low morning light. To me they are beautiful animals and I hate to see them have to be “controlled”, but obviously there are times that those in charge feel it is necessary. In an Arizona Game & Fish magazine I get here I have read about how the coyotes take the new born Pronghorn from the mother just as it is being delivered. A few years ago they moved a fairly large herd of Pronghorn from here in Prescott due to ever advancing development and moved them to an area near Tucson. In order to prepare the area for the arrival of the herd, and in order for it to survive and grow, they killed more than 300 coyotes. Your note of not a single fawn surviving shows the necessity for the killing. Of course many would argue in favor of
man letting nature take care of itself.
“they killed more than 300 coyotes”
That breaks my heart, Everett. I’m just glad I’m not the one to make that decision.
At a loss for words. Cannot say exactly why, but I really like that first shot.
The tail does have the illusion of being cut off. Very odd effect.
Thanks, Michael. The first photo is also my favorite of the two.
Nice images. I often shoot just before sunrise. I’ve learned to live with ISO 12800. It works, if the exposure setting is right.
Steven, as long as I don’t have to crop too much I can live with higher ISO’s. But especially with birds, I’m often cropping significantly. These coyote photos have been cropped relatively little.