![\"coyote](\"https:\/\/featheredphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/coyote-9802-ron-dudley.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n1\/1250, f\/6.3, ISO 500, 500 f\/4, 1.4 tc<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n The coyote was actively hunting the bottom of a\u00a0small creek drainage that paralleled the road as both wound down out of the mountains.\u00a0 It would pop into and out of view as\u00a0I tried to stay slightly ahead of it to get the best light possible in the afternoon sun that\u00a0was\u00a0often sidelighting my subject.\u00a0 The coyote\u00a0was so intent on hunting that it largely ignored me but there’s no question that it was\u00a0very aware of my presence.<\/p>\n Higher up the ravine its hunting style was to walk fast,\u00a0occasionally loping,\u00a0with it’s focus on the grasses directly ahead.\u00a0 When it saw, heard or smelled something of interest…<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a01\/1000, f\/6.3, ISO 500, 500 f\/4, 1.4 tc<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0it would often freeze as it waited\u00a0for an opportunity at the prey.\u00a0 I saw it catch two small rodents (probably voles) but it was turned away from me\u00a0so I didn’t get any acceptable images of that action.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a01\/1250, f\/6.3, ISO 500, 500 f\/4, 1.4 tc<\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Here the coyote has apparently seen or heard a vole under or near one of the ubiquitous cow pies in the area (a legacy of the “multiple use” policies of our federal land managers).\u00a0 It held this position for some time before it continued down the ravine.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a01\/3200, f\/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f\/4<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Just prior to this\u00a0shot the coyote froze and stared at the ground in front of it and cocked its head, obviously listening.\u00a0 Then it leaped high into the air and pounced.\u00a0 Here the ground slopes fairly steeply down toward me which gives the illusion that the coyote isn’t as high in the air as it actually is.\u00a0 I estimate that\u00a0it jumped\u00a0almost 3′ in the air…<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a01\/3200, f\/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f\/4<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n and it came down hard with its front feet and snout.\u00a0 But alas, the coyote came up empty this time…<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a01\/800, f\/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f\/4<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0Toward the bottom of the ravine it came upon a shady nook with standing water.\u00a0 The coyote seemed to\u00a0appreciate the relative coolness and stopped to enjoy it…<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n