Coyote after an October snowCoyote after an October snow – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/2000, ISO 1000, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 350mm, natural light, not baited or called in

By this time last year we had already had a decent snow fall in the Salt Lake Valley and it appears that we may get some of the fluffy white stuff this week. Maybe that will bring in the winter birds in higher numbers. I know I have been missing them.

Yesterday I did see my FOS (first of season) Rough-legged Hawks, I spotted five of them and it might possibly be six. They were too far away to get decent image of them but I danced for joy despite that. The Roughies are back!

While looking for Rough-legged Hawks last year I spotted this Coyote strolling along the causeway to Antelope Island looking for falcon leftovers. The Coyotes winter coat had filled in well and it looked rather fluffy when compared to their sleeker summer coats. Perhaps this week I will be able to take images of Coyotes in snow again.

Mia

BTW, this image was created in low light which is why my ISO is so high and also why I bumped up my exposure compensation. I have found that even at high ISO’s I get very little noise (if any) if my exposure is set right.