Coyote and a Vole on a Dreary Winter Day

Coyote about to pounce on a vole – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/500, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 200mm, natural light, not baited or called in

Three years ago today it was dreary and cold but I was out in the field looking for birds and wildlife to photograph despite the cruddy weather. I did not see many birds that wintry day but I did have fun photographing a Coyote hunting, catching and consuming a vole in low light conditions.

I was able to photograph the Coyote as it was about to pounce on a vole under the snow.

Coyote with a vole in its teeth – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/500, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 200mm, natural light, not baited or called in

And as it held the vole gingerly with its teeth, until the vole is dead those little rodents can bite the coyote’s mouth and I know that is a fact because I have seen it happen.

Coyote dropping a vole – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/500, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 200mm, natural light, not baited or called in

And it appeared to have happened that day too because the Coyote dropped the vole and I caught it falling to the ground with my camera. The vole was eventually eaten…

Coyote hunting on the snow covered lake bed – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/640, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 235mm, natural light, not baited or called in

And the Coyote continued to hunt for more voles on the snow covered lake bed. The Coyote was my best subject that day. I haven’t photographed them much lately because when I have spotted them they have been too far away to obtain high quality images of them. I miss seeing the Song Dogs close enough to photograph.

As I said on my previous post about this Coyote: One Coyote + one low light winter morning + camera in hand = 1 happy Mia

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to view more of my Coyote photos plus facts and information about this species.