Coyote Sunset

[Old Timer]

I haven't posted in N&W for a while but did run across an interesting event while at my son's in West Texas last week. He lives on a large cattle and oil ranch and there is usually abundant wildlife to photograph. However this time we were there either because of the time of year or abundance of predators there was very little wildlife activity. One evening while on his back porch however a pack of five coyote came disturbingly close to the yard. It was very near sundown when they approached where he had been watering a tree to get a drink. Although not the best quality pics (I had to go with a pretty high ISO) I though you guys might be interested in a few images.

[armando_m]

I do like the first photo

Thanks for sharing

[w.slayman]

Some nice captures of an elusive animal.

[Photo-John]

Nice photos. You have to take the opportunities as they come. Conditions aren't always perfect. You do your best and try to learn something so you can do a better job next time. And in spite of your qualifications, I think these actually look pretty good.

I don't think you really need to worry about coyotes. Maybe if there's a baby, small dogs or cats around. But I'd see them on the trail all time in California. I even had one run along right next to me once. They are almost never a problem for people. Now, mountain lions, they scare me. But supposedly, if a mountain lion gets you, you never see it coming. So no need worrying about that

[Old Timer]

Nice photos. You have to take the opportunities as they come. Conditions aren't always perfect. You do your best and try to learn something so you can do a better job next time. And in spite of your qualifications, I think these actually look pretty good.

I don't think you really need to worry about coyotes. Maybe if there's a baby, small dogs or cats around. But I'd see them on the trail all time in California. I even had one run along right next to me once. They are almost never a problem for people. Now, mountain lions, they scare me. But supposedly, if a mountain lion gets you, you never see it coming. So no need worrying about that

I agree John, but my son has lost three cats lately and his dog goes after them every time they get close to the house and since them hunt in packs this could be a real problem for him if he get to far from the house and the safety of the fence.

[WesternGuy]

OT, great images, considering the circumstances. I would agree with Photo-John. You (grown people) probably don't have to worry about coyotes. Dogs and cats (maybe small children under 5?), well that's another matter. I live in a foothills city of about one milllion people and the City wildlife people estimate that there are at least 300 to 400 coyotes living within the city limits - river valleys, large green areas, etc. They even travel the streets and avenues of the City - my wife almost ran one over one morning coming around a corner in our neighbourhood. In the Spring and Summer, hardly a week or two go by without someone "complaining" that their dog/cat has run away and they only let them out of the house into the backyard for a little while. We all know what actually happened to the small animal, so I agree with your concern about the dog.

I also agree with Photo-John on his feelings about mountain lions. As our city expands into the foothills to the west encounters are bound to happen - only a matter of time, and they are not afraid of anything...well maybe a large black or a grizzly bear, but then we don't want those running around our city either.

Cheers,

WesternGuy

[mn shutterbug]

Very cool. Thanks for sharing.

[SARtech]

You are correct... I am interested in seeing these. We can't have works of art all of the time!
I wish I could get just one decent shot of one of these guys.

[paulnj]

Very nice Larry! No need to fear a coyote, you are far too big to eat buddy

[Loupey]

Nice - I especially like the last one - two watching something while a third sneaks off around to the rear...

[Old Timer]

Very nice Larry! No need to fear a coyote, you are far too big to eat buddy

I agree Paul but my three year old 35 lb. grandson could be very venerable.

[BJW]

What a sight this must have been to witness. Love the pictures!

[chrisnesss]

These are neat shots. You take them when you can get them. The lighting is great in these.

[Intrepid Berkeley Explorer]

I have one distinct Coyote image, from Yellowstone National Park back in 1991. A lone Coyote decided to cross a road, moving very slowly, even stopping at times. Traffic backed up in both directions, since Coyotes obviously enjoy the right of way. I was so close that this event became a video highlight.

After learning years later that an individual video frame can be converted by computer into a still picture, I became far more of a still photographer than anticipated, even with my first primitive Hi-8 camcorder. So my Yellowstone Coyote, blocking the road without remorse, will appear somewhere, perhaps as an attachment to this post and/or an addition to my member's gallery.

Dave