The Coyotes and the Plucky Pronghorn
Yesterday Mia and I were witness to quite the little drama on a trip to Antelope Island to photograph birds. It all started when we noticed the frantic calling of a Long-billed Curlew which flew over us several times in obvious distress. Canon 7D, 1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 640, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc At first we didn’t know what was causing all the ruckus but soon Mia spotted this coyote. A couple of minutes later we noticed a second coyote nearby. We suspect that the curlew had a nest in the vicinity and it was disturbed by the foraging coyotes. Soon both coyotes disappeared into a ravine but we hung around hoping for more flight shots of the curlew. Canon 7D, 1/1600, f/7.1, ISO 640, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc Then, almost a quarter-mile away, we spotted the coyotes again but this time a doe Pronghorn (at least I think it’s a female and not a young male) had entered the scene. There was obviously going to be a confrontation and at first I assumed that the coyotes would be the aggressors but I was quickly proven wrong. Canon 7D, 1/1600, f/7.1, ISO 640, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc This doe had pluck! After a few seconds of staring each other down the pronghorn charged the coyote on the right. Canon 7D, 1/1600, f/7.1, ISO 640, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc That coyote beat a hasty retreat but the teamwork the coyotes showed was impressive. They always stayed a short distance apart and whenever the doe would…