Autumn Coyote from a long distance – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited or called in
Yesterday I spotted a Coyote in poor light at Farmington Bay WMA that reminded me of a recent photo I took of a Coyote there in late November. The Coyote was a long way out on the flats that should be covered in water but due to our ongoing drought is dry this autumn.
When I took this photo I felt sad because it has been a long time since I have had a “Song Dog” up close in my viewfinder. I appreciate Coyotes but they have a bounty on their heads in the state of Utah. Outside of Antelope Island State Park and the causeway to it I’ve found them to be extremely skittish and challenging to photograph. This one seemed nervous even though it was probably more than half a mile away and without my long lens looked like a speck in the vegetation.
Adult Coyote walking on a dry lake bed – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/200, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited or called in
When I first moved to Utah I used to see coyotes on Antelope Island practically every time I went there. That is no longer the case. I may see one of these beautiful apex predators once in ten to fifteen trips to the island and I haven’t been close to one out there in years.
During the fall and winter I also used to photograph coyotes wandering along the 7 mile causeway that goes to and from the island. The coyotes would look for prey that Prairie and Peregrine Falcon didn’t eat and they would consume their leftovers.
But the lake has dried up, the birds aren’t close to the causeway, I don’t see Prairie and Peregrine Falcons there much any more because their prey isn’t there and I rarely see coyotes patrolling the causeway like I used to.
Sometimes it hurts to remember what is used to be like when there was more water in the Great Salt Lake. I miss seeing the coyotes along the shoreline.
Life is good but it can be sad too. So much has changed since I moved here 12 years ago.
Mia
Click here to view more of my Coyote photos plus facts and information about this species.
Beautiful and depressing at the same time. Great pics. Thanks Mia.
I saw two the other day below the Olympic Park in Park City. They seemed pretty comfortable with me and my two dogs. About 100 yards away, they were all filled out and with burnt colors of brown and orange. Beautiful pair of song dogs
💔
The bounties on the heads of coyotes (and wolves) absolutely infuriate me.
Heartrendingly sad.
They are a very pretty animal, and I know many people don’t like them or wolfs either. It was their area first, before man came along. Hope you will get the much needed moisture and things will look much better for the wild life. Thanks for the pictures.
So beautiful!! It’s not often you get to see them!
Keep up the search for the beauties of nature,Mia . What’s the option, daytime television?