I was riding the motorcyle today on a very cool single track (enduro) trail in what appeared to be a former C.C.C. camp nursery. I was in pretty deep. well, I came around a turn and, low and behold, there was a young coyote. He ran about 25 yards and then turned and studyed me. I did the same. He was young, not a puppy, but nowhere near full size. He eventually retreated.
I moved on down the trail and only a short distance I came across another coyote. This one was younger but still beyond puppy stage. I was kicking myself for not having a camera but I rarely take one with me when I take my motorcyle on tight trails. This coyote was a bit more fearful and didn't hang around quite as long.
I made my way to a clearing and realized that I did have my camera phone. (which I never use as a camera). So, I decided to leave the bike and walk back into the thick of the woods knowing I had a very slim chance of getting a picture.
Well, I stayed real low and kept to the trail to pretty much eliminate noise in the soft sand. Sure enough I spotted them, four of them, all young but of varying age and size. they had there tails to me. Even with four of them their size was not the least bit intimadating. I manged to get a little closer and then I rose above the bushes and prepared to take my picture. the "beep" of the camera phone alerted them however, I did get a picture as they scattered. the largest one of the bunch stopped and turned toward me and I got another picture.
The sad bit, is that I remembered why I never use the camera on my phone...I can't send it to my computer. I guess because I don't have texting. I may have to get texting now so I can see how these pics came out. It is too small on my phone for me to see anything.
BTW, I didn't blindly go into a coyote den site. I believe these coyotes are siblings and still in the care of their father and mother but certainly not fresh out of the den. I've seen coyote pups before (another time when I was on the motorcyle) and I can say that they are not puppies. When the den is still providing protection for the puppies is when the parents are most aggressive and this was not the case. I don't want to tangle with a pair of 40-60lbs coyotes.
I am considering going back with my real camera but at the same time I don't really want to harass the family and I certainly don't want to provoke the parents. I'll have to think about it.
Jeff
I moved on down the trail and only a short distance I came across another coyote. This one was younger but still beyond puppy stage. I was kicking myself for not having a camera but I rarely take one with me when I take my motorcyle on tight trails. This coyote was a bit more fearful and didn't hang around quite as long.
I made my way to a clearing and realized that I did have my camera phone. (which I never use as a camera). So, I decided to leave the bike and walk back into the thick of the woods knowing I had a very slim chance of getting a picture.
Well, I stayed real low and kept to the trail to pretty much eliminate noise in the soft sand. Sure enough I spotted them, four of them, all young but of varying age and size. they had there tails to me. Even with four of them their size was not the least bit intimadating. I manged to get a little closer and then I rose above the bushes and prepared to take my picture. the "beep" of the camera phone alerted them however, I did get a picture as they scattered. the largest one of the bunch stopped and turned toward me and I got another picture.
The sad bit, is that I remembered why I never use the camera on my phone...I can't send it to my computer. I guess because I don't have texting. I may have to get texting now so I can see how these pics came out. It is too small on my phone for me to see anything.
BTW, I didn't blindly go into a coyote den site. I believe these coyotes are siblings and still in the care of their father and mother but certainly not fresh out of the den. I've seen coyote pups before (another time when I was on the motorcyle) and I can say that they are not puppies. When the den is still providing protection for the puppies is when the parents are most aggressive and this was not the case. I don't want to tangle with a pair of 40-60lbs coyotes.
I am considering going back with my real camera but at the same time I don't really want to harass the family and I certainly don't want to provoke the parents. I'll have to think about it.
Jeff
