CARNIVORES: Coyote Stories - Part IV

Coyotes are pretty resilient animals. They were hunted nearly to extinction in the early 20th century. And, I hate to even say this, but about 90,000 are killed every year today by state or federal government in order to protect livestock. Yet, they are found throughout North America from Alaska and Northern Canada south to Panama. They are found at sea level and at 10,000 feet. They are found in high humidity areas and in the desert. Their fur tends to be darker and heavier in mountainous areas and more "yellowish" in desert areas. They grow to an average weight of 45 pounds, although typically larger and heavier in the north. They can reach speeds of over 40 miles per hour during a chase. They usually hunt in pairs but run in packs of six or seven. I have seen as many as seven a couple of times here at The Azure Gate. They tend to run in packs more in the winter than summer. This, of course, is true of many animals: coatimundi, elk, pronghorn, and others. They used to be more diurnal, but as human population has grown and human land ownership expanded, coyotes have become more nocturnal. But, we still see them during the day occasionally -- but, more typically on overcast days. Today's photo comes from Western Montana. I was driving along between Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge and the National Bison Wildlife Refuge when up ahead I saw a coyote cross the road. I pulled over to the side of the road, rolled down the window, as he began walking (through the wildflowers) along the forest's edge. I took this photo as he was parallel to me:

CARNIVORES: Coyote Stories - Part III

To my best recollection (digital stores so much more information than film) it was January of 1995. I was driving along the Columbia Icefield,  near the boundary of Banff and Jasper National Parks. This is an incredibly scenic road that passes over one hundred visible glaciers, turquoise lakes, rushing waterfalls --- or icefalls --- and numerous hiking trails, picnic spots and campgrounds. It is about a 3 1/2 hour drive between Jasper and Banff. I must admit, that as a Wildlife Photographer I much prefer Jasper to Banff. Jasper is a little more remote, more back roads, and a tenth of as many people. Banff is a little more "upscale" and reminds me more of some of the Ski Resorts in Colorado: Vail, Aspen, Breckinridge, etc. And Lake Louise (just outside of Banff) is one of the most beautiful spots in the world. But, I am an two and a half hours away from Banff driving along the Icefield when I see a Coyote out in the middle of the Icefield just lying down on the ice. As I get out of the car, the coyote gets up and starts walking parallel to the road. So, I walk parallel to him. After a couple hundred yards he starts walking toward the road. I continue to take photos, changing film as I go. Eventually, he crossed the road about 30 feet in front of me. I like this particular series of photos because of the different color and background contrasts. The last photo almost looks like a photo of a domestic dog at a beach. But, it is all ice and it is the same Coyote.

CARNIVORES: Coyote Stories - Part II

We have guests here from Whidbey Island in the Puget Sound that saw a coyote yesterday morning just standing in the middle of our driveway (the Coyote that is). It reminds me that the Coyote is one of those animals you can't "just go look for." They aren't like the Elegant Trogon, for example. In March and April, I can go to Patagonia Lake, or to South Fork Cave Creek Canyon in the Chiricahuas to look for the Elegant Trogan and often with success. Coyotes on the other hand can be anywhere. In the eight plus years we've been here we have probably seen 150 Coyotes on our property (many of course the same ones). Yet, if I went out looking for one right now, chances are I would not find one. The first photo is a Coyote staring down a rabbit. He gave chase, but I don't think he was successful. 

In this next photo, I was again sitting at my desk when I saw this Coyote come walking toward the front of the office. I grabbed my camera thinking he would walk by the side of the office and there he came. It appears that this time he was successful in catching something to eat.

CARNIVORES: Coyote Stories

Since we have guests staying with us from the Calgary, Alberta area I thought I would start "Coyote Stories" with one from Alberta. We are going back to 1998, when I was driving along the Athabasca River in Alberta heading from Jasper to Banff. I saw this Coyote along the riverbank. When I pulled over to the side of the road and got out of the truck, this Coyote came towards me. Not directly, but more curiously and serpentinely. I was afraid that maybe someone had fed him and the Coyote thought I would do the same. (Of course I don't. Never have. Never will). I hoped that wasn't the case, but he certainly was curious and unafraid. But, I also need to say -- as I start "Coyote Stories" -- that Coyotes have been treated with disrespect over the past century, and I can't for the life of me figure out "why?" Coyotes are gorgeous. Look at this Coyote in these photos. Coyotes are not dangerous. There have been only two deaths from Coyote attacks in all of North America in the last 40 years. In one case (California), it was a toddler that had been left alone. In the other case (Nova Scotia), authorities are convinced that it was a mixed breed coyote-wolf. On the other hand, in the US alone, on average, 1008 children under the age of 13 are treated in emergency rooms every single day for domestic dog bites/attacks. I don't mean to offend dog owners/lovers. I just would like a little more perspective and appreciation for the beauty,  intelligence, and peaceful nature of the Coyote.

CARNIVORES: Bobcats - Part IX

The last of the Bobcat stories (for now), is another  "....It started as I was sitting at my desk in my office..."  I saw a young Bobcat come walking toward the front (southside) of the office. I suspected that he was headed for the water bowl which is on the westside. (There are doors/windows on both the south and north sides so either way I get a good view). I watched for a couple of seconds as he drank from the bowl, but then it was "grab the camera", and head out the front door. By the time I sneaked around the corner he was gone. But, I had seen this before too. He walks along the back wall of the office and then around the wall to the oasis looking for rabbits. So, I quietly and slowly walked over to where I could get a good view without being too close. There he was staring down not one but two rabbits. The Bobcat turned and looked at me (photo below) then ran after one of the rabbits. I gave him a minute or so then walked up to where the chase had taken place, but didn't see him -- or the rabbit. My guess was that he didn't get the rabbit -- that time. It is the only time I have seen a Bobcat running. Usually, they are either sitting, walking, or stalking.

CARNIVORES: Bobcats - Part VIII

You might remember this story from an earlier blog, but since I was telling Bobcat stories, thought it appropriate to include.

We had a couple from New York coming to stay with us. Upon their arrival, as we were walking over to the Catalina Guest House (where they were going to stay), a female Bobcat walked in front of us and then along the path toward the back of the property. Not five seconds later, a large male Bobcat came from behind some cactus and onto the same path following the female. What a delightful surprise! We talked about wildlife here at The Azure Gate for a bit. They asked a lot of questions about "is it safe?" And, "What should we do if we see snake etc.?" After showing the guests the inside of the guest house (which took about five minutes) we went out the front door. And, there standing in the driveway was a beautiful Coyote. Now, I must admit this really is NOT something that occurs every day. But, try to tell this to the New Yorkers, here in Arizona for the first time. They believed they were in some far off jungle where their lives were in constant danger of being attacked by large carnivorous creatures -- or slithering ones. (I may have embellished a bit much here). Animals, even carnivorous animals aren't interested in humans. Quite the contrary, after centuries of hunting they have learned to keep their distance. Both Bobcats and Coyotes are predominately night creates. In the winter we hear Coyotes two or three times every night, but only see one once a week or so. Bobcats are stealth creatures. They are skilled at "not being seen." So, they are around but we may only see one once a month. It was a special treat for our guests. And, you know what? A special treat for me, too. I never get bored watching wildlife.

carnivores: Bobcats - Part VII

A little over a year ago I was sitting at my desk in the office early one morning when I looked out the front door windows and saw a Bobcat walking down the driveway. As I got my camera he jumped up on the wall directly in front of me. I stepped outside and took three photos before he jumped down to the other side of the wall and out of sight. Here are those three photos:

The first one, obviously is the best and is one of my greeting cards. But, also as the story continues, I immediately downloaded the photos on to my computer and then changed my desk top photo to the first photo above. Maybe a half-hour later Christine came into the office and saw the desktop photo and was so excited. She loved the photo, but of course, wished that she was able to see the real thing. The problem with photographing wildlife, is you that sometimes you only have a split second for a photo. You have to make a decision: Should I take photos or go tell people, so they can see too -- in which case the animal could be gone by the time you and the others get back. If I know that Christine or one of our guests would want to see, then typically I will go get them. Now, if a Mountain Lion walked by, that's another story, I would be taking photos first.