The Cool Coyotes of Cochise County
70Not everybody appreciates coyotes. Whether it's Cochise County, Arizona, or the far corners of Maine, chicken farmers (for example) pretty much have a "shoot on sight" attitude toward the Little Wolves.
Which is understandable.
Pam and I, on the other hand, enjoy having them around our acreage just north of the Mexican border. They seem to think our presence is a good thing as well, and despite the cyclical decimation of the local bunny population, there are advantages to being buddies with the crafty critters.
Some of which you-the-reader will not likely believe, but that's fine. We're just saying.
Coyote Benefits as we see them:
1. They're entertaining company, complete with interesting behavior to observe and radical variations in personality. (One individual will only peek through brush at us. Another poses broadside but stays farther out than others. A third finds us spooky and books whenever he [she?] realizes we're watching. A fourth thinks we're so cool that lying down at relatively close range to watch us watch them is a high priority activity.)
2. We don't much care for javelinas...and since the coyotes have "adopted" us, the skunk pigs seem to be staying away most of the time.
3. The boss daddy coyote of the Border Fort Pack (good a name as any) provided the inspiration for Medicine Coyote, a cool character in the Tam the Tall Tale Teller series of western short stories.
4. Pam believes they watch over our place for us. Guardian coyotes. I'm going with that; never argue with a redhead.
Photos? Sure. This evening, for the first time since acquiring a Canon PowerShot camera, the pack stopped by before all the daylight was gone.
At the time I noticed the Cochise County coyote in the above photos, I was actually still involved in sawing and hammering various 2" x 4" pieces to form some sort of built-up box floor in Pam's bathroom. Before long, we'll actually (finally) have real live flush toilets.
Well...maybe not live flush toilets. That would be kind of Stephen King creepy.
Anyway, I'd taken a quick break to check the water valve up on the water tank atop the nine-foot tower. It was from that vantage point that I noticed and photographed Mr. Coyote (in) Sunshine.
But there were still plenty of camp chores to do. None of the pack popped into our clearing until after the sun was down--and of course I missed the "first best shot" of the evening, not being nearly quick enough on the draw to get the camera pointed in the gray ghost's direction before he/she had scooted out of the picture.
Literally.
By the time I'd topped off the generator fuel for the night, though, the gang was all here.
Light and temperature were both dropping fast, but I barely noticed. Ms. Curious Coyote (I'm guessing she's a she 'cause she seems to like me) was proving to be a most willing photographic model, and even the others--showing a touch of shyness or simply preferring to remain mobile--were demanding attention from the camera lens.
The critter peeking through the bush cracked me up, though I was too polite to laugh out loud.
Until a few weeks ago, the land on which these coyotes are roaming in the photos was mostly "not ours". Thankfully, we've now managed to purchase all the rock, soil, bunchgrass, etc., you see here--with a fair amount of "backup acreage" besides.
Which means our crafty coyote critters should be able to come calling in safety for many years to come.
Huge relief.
Of course, there is a possible downside. There's a 90% chance the entire Internet may get deluged with umpteen photos of the cool coyotes of Cochise County before the camera work is done.
vote upvote downshareprintflag
- Useful (2)
- Funny (4)
- Awesome (5)
- Beautiful (5)
- Interesting (3)
CommentsLoading...
Yes, that situation (coyote after dog) would definitely put the coyotes on the No Fly list. We don't have any dogs, and the cats are strictly indoor critters (as long as we watch to be sure Kitten Precious doesn't sneak out).
For that matter, we don't even let Pam out alone after dark. Enjoying the beasties is one thing, being their feasty quite another.
I'd been wanting to get a decent set of pics for a long time, but the Vivitar simply wasn't up to the task.
That's some fine camera you have there, Ghost. Enjoyed the pics and the hub!
Thanks. I'd been wanting one of these (Canon PowerShot) for a full two years.
The shots of the coyote in sunshine were taken at 56X zoom--with my elbows leaning atop the water tower but no tripod, just trying to time the clicks between heartbeats to hold down the shaking.
Absolutely LOVE the photos, Sir!
Where I'm at in Texas...at any given moment this time of night, the area is likely to explode in coyote choruses.
But I NEVER see them. It might sound like one, or a thousand are fifty yards away, but I never see them.
Very clever critters.
Glad you liked (okay, LOVED) the photos.
This is the first place I've lived where coyote sightings are commonplace. Not so much the first year here (this is our third), but over time, this pack at least has come to realize we're not going to harm them without cause.
It probably helps that dense brush cover is never more than a few dozen yards away.
And yes, they are definitely clever critters.
Hi Fred, Great pictures. The new canon does a good job. They almost look like they are moving on my iPad. Their beautiful critters, yes she looks like a lady. I love the captions you put under Little Ms model. and the others.
What's a javelinas and a skunk pig?
You and Pam beware of that Boss daddy , he can't be trusted. He'll climb up that toilet tower and spring when you least expect him. Maybe you need a big,big dog. Something like a Bear. Kay
LOL!
That for the idea of the top coyote springing at me. Or even Pam, but especially at me. If a few of 'em tried that, I'd simply grab me a double fistful of fur, swing a coyote around at arm's length like a club to take out the rest of 'em, then whip-snap his head on the ground till there wasn't anything left.
Literally.
It's not like we're talking full-sized wolf here.
But there's ZERO threat between us, in either direction. Got lots and lots of mutual respect. The little lady was watching me watch her from the closest distance, about 60 feet, but the big boy never risks getting nearer than about 3 times that--and then if he realizes I'm paying too much attention, he backs off farther.
Sneaking up on me is the farthest thing from his mind.
AND we can READ each other's minds, at least to an extent.
A javelina is a wild pig native to this area. A skunk pig is an old timey name for a javelina.
Great photos! I live near Chicago and back up to a creek and wetlands. We have coyotes. First time I saw them (there are usually two) I was startled walking my little dog. I picked her up and headed home and they ran away. I think now they are more afraid of me than I am of them. No walking after dark though.
We definitely don't do the little dog thing, and little wife (Pam is 5' even, 100 lb. or so) does not go out after dark--at least not alone. I do, as chores require (we live off grid and the generator has to be turned off when I go to bed, for example), but our coyotes are highly respectful of our boundaries.
Not that they never come up next to the house--we've seen their tracks within ten feet of the north wall at times--but we're pretty sure that's ONLY been when they knew we were all tucked in for the night.
Our pack is at least four, Mommy & Daddy & 2 pups. Could be more; sometimes they're moving back and forth enough that I'm not sure how many I'm seeing.
Glad you liked the photos. I looked through Google Images and have to say I'd stack our coyotes up against others in any coyote beauty contest they'd like--so they definitely deserve good camera work.
Now, wonder if I can get 'em to pose for a closeup portrait....:)(No, I'm not one of those dummy Yellowstone Park tourists who have NO clue about the "wild" in "wildlife".)
This is SO neat!!! I, too, think your pictures are fascinating! I add my thanks for the new camera!
When I look at them all I think about is that Kevin Costner movie with the friendly coyote which the BAD Army guys had fun killing. (Sickos)
You DO know how these critters live so I don't see you getting in their way anytime soon. I'm glad you don't have any dogs and are keeping your lovely wife in the house at night. Smart moves (although you really SHOULD have a dog or two!)
May you and your coyote friends enjoy one another's company for many years to come!
Up and all the way over!
Patti
Ummm...Patti, in that movie, Costner gets to know a friendly WOLF, not a coyote (which is also known as a "prairie wolf" but is not a wolf per se). The move is "Dances With WOLVES". :)
Thanks for the good wishes & great votes!
Oh my goodness, Ghost! These are fantastic!!!
They're beautiful, and how very cool that they hang in your own yard!!
Really happy you got a camera, and can't wait to see what you shoot with it next!
Thanks. I'm planning to tackle the lunar eclipse just before dawn.
I've always had a camera, but not one good enough to catch shots like these. All were photographed at either 14X or 56X zoom magnification.
I was hoping you were going to try for the lunar eclipse. I live on the wrong side of the country.
It'll be daylight, but we'll give it a try.
Good luck.
Thanks. Got half of it before the moon dropped behind the mountains.
As a Med. Man, allow me to share this on ANY animal.
NEVEr ...EVER...think HARM / Killing um.
they SENCE UR INTENT!
even TREES sence a "cutter" over an OBSERVER of BUITY! Aho? re
Absolutely, brother. I first learned that as a preteen, simply by observation.
Except for the trees. That understanding came later.
Hey Sir, I'm working on a more general coyote hub today, and wish to link to this one with your awesome photos!
Just let me know if you do NOT want your hub linked.
Link away! Your Hub linking to mine can do mine nothing but good. :)
Becky Katz Level 8 Commenter 5 months ago
I love the pics tonight. They are fascinating critters, if you don't have dogs that need to go out or cats.
I remember right after Dennis and I got married, it flooded in Reno. Our place was high but the coyotes were coming down into the residential areas looking for food. Dennis let my little dog out in the middle of the night and when he heard a ruckus, looked out the door.
He saw my dog being chased around the boat trailer by a coyote. Every time the coyote would start to catch up to my elderly dog, dog would duck under the trailer to get away. The coyote couldn't fit under the low trailer. He managed to stay far enough ahead of the coyote to keep from being eaten until Dennis got out there with a club and waylaid the coyote. He said he figured if he let my 9 year old dog get eaten, he might as well get ready to sign divorce papers.