We went through a phase last year where we saw coyotes regularly on our property, usually just one or three trotting across the yard outside the fenced dogs' area. We'd see them a couple of times a week at least. We hadn't seen them much lately, though, until this week.
Yesterday, a beautiful healthy-looking coyote came through. The coyotes around here are usually a light grayish tan color, good for blending in with the soil and desert plants. The one yesterday had darker markings, with a dark mantel reminiscent of the Mexican wolves we'd seen on Christmas day at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. His bushy tail also was tipped in dark fur.
This morning, I noted that the neighbors' dogs were barking quite a lot. This is not unusual as all the neighborhood dogs bark at every single person that walks or bikes by, as well as any loose dogs running about. Unfortunately, a number of people let their dogs run loose here. When Angel starting barking with great intensity, though, I knew there had to be a coyote. Remember, she is convinced that coyotes are evil.
I looked out the window, expecting to see the pretty coyote from yesterday. Instead I saw a couple of coyotes up at the corner. No, wait, three coyotes. Oops, no, there was a fourth one trotting out of the bushes. They headed across the street out of view. I happened to glance up about 30 seconds later and saw a coyote running up the street from where they'd disappeared. So, there might have actually been five. A pack!
Angel started barking again not more than ten minutes later. When I looked to see the source of her consternation, it turned out to be a scared-looking coyote running down the other street towards our yard. It passed through our property and headed over to the neighbor's south of us. I'm pretty sure it was the one I'd seen yesterday. A bit later, it headed back across the yard and disappeared in the bushes to the north.
It's been about an hour and Angel set up a ruckus again. I looked out front. Nothing. I looked out the side window where the coyotes often pass by. There were two coyotes sniffing around a bush. Both lifted a leg, in turn, and marked a little patch of weeds before moving on to the neighbor's property to the south.
I don't know what is going on today but I feel like I'm on the Coyote Super-Highway. I wonder how all the neighbors' chickens are faring.
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7 comments:
LOL we have a pack down at work (our buildings are on what used to be a horse racing track)There are enough bunnies running around to keep them fed. Anyway, there is something strangely soothing when you go out at night and they are baying at the moon.
Apparently, they don't have a Riding to the Hounds Club out there! Interesting that they don't fear you folks in the daytime. I've seen some around here, too, but always late at night -- and, I think it has a lot to do with the folks here who have added chicken coops to their back yards! Enjoy!
I'm kind of curious what your coyotes sound like. Our eastern coyotes have a singing sound . . . sort of a yip-yip-yipp-ing song whereas our western coyotes tend to howl - an ar-ooing sound.
We have the eastern singing coyotes in our area.
Rob - how cool! I love to hear the coyotes.
Sharlene - if I go outside, the coyote will take off. There's plenty of food around for them. Roadkill bunnies disappear fast.
Olivia - coyotes have many different vocalizations, including howling and yipping. If we end up with pups here, and I think we will, I expect to hear a whole lot of yipping!
I spoke with a gentleman yesterday at a state park who said he lives near one of the hospitals and has resident coyotes. He said they often howl at the incoming ambulance sirens.
My understanding of the coyotes that we have here in Eastern Canada, particularly in the Maritimes, is that they are hybrids - a cross between the smaller western coyote and the eastern red wolf (although possibly the grey wolf). They are about twice the size of the western coyotes and tend to hunt larger prey. In fact, unfortunately, they will at times even threaten humans and recently a young woman in Cape Breton was killed by a coyote. This is hopefully rare. I occasionally see them while out walking but usually they ignore me, thankfully. Coyotes only appeared here within the last 10 years or so, coming over the ice in the winter. (Our island is about 10-12 km. from the mainland) Too bad. Prior to that our largest mammals were red foxes.
Hi Chile, I heard the news yesterday, and just wanted to say that I hope you're okay! *Please* post will ya, and let us know how you're doing!
Elli
Olivia - that's really interesting, but sounds like a not-so-great hybrid situation for a place where people and wildlife comingle.
Elli - I'm fine, albeit disgusted by how stupid and senseless people can be.
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