Coyotes have fascinated humans since we first set foot in North America. We quickly discerned there was something special about them. They were like us - adaptable survivors full of lust, bravado, cunning, and beautiful intelligence. We watched closely as coyotes danced with mischief while trotting into our consciousness. We were mesmerized; we quickly learned that coyotes show us the truth.
Another great essay, Bill. Joni Mitchell's tribute in "Coyote" to an unnamed man (although we can guess) also captures the elusive, sensual nature of these creatures. Thank you for your equally thoughtful piece. Here are just a few lines from JM:
Fascinating story Bill. My son used to live on a small farmstead a field away from timber. One evening we were sitting on his deck at sunset and we’re serenaded by a mother coyote and pups in the timber. It was unforgettable.
Thank you for this wonderful piece. I'm fascinated by coyotes. Where I live now we have a pack that moves through the yard at night to hunt, get water (we're located between woodlands and a small network of streams), and by the sound of it, let the children work off some extra energy. I love listening to their "chatter." This year they haven't migrated through the woods much as it's become more populated, less prey, etc, I'm assuming.
Beautiful work, Bill. Thank you. I've long been fascinated by the 20th century shift eastward by coyotes spreading and mixing with wolves (and dogs) so that they now occupy the entire country. As I understand it, they were fairly strictly a western species until we'd eradicated all large predators in the east and fragmented the landscape. Their resilience and beauty give me hope but the attitude of some hunters (and the state game agencies who allow year-round hunting) who still think eradication is both rational and possible bring me right back down again. Anyway, thanks for another elegant and sensitive piece.
Excellent essay on the Coyote. I've had several amazing encounters with them over the years. My favourites are from 2014-2015 while living in Calgary Alberta. I got to observe a mated pair and a juvenile for several months. It was fun to watch them lope about in the fields on the outskirts of the city. I still think about them now 10 years later. That's a great Native American saying about the Coyote doing all three.
Great stuff Fish...The rule when deer hunting was thus: if you come upon coyote chasing a deer, shoot the coyote. Truth be told, I never shot either, preferring instead to watch nature take its course.
I love all your nature stories. I especially like how you describe coyote as an adaptogen, a shapeshifter, as well as a story teller. I live off the beaten path on 13 acres and often hear them in the woods around us. I’m pretty sure one may have gotten an indoor/outdoor cat I had, he was 8 years old. The cat had a curfew and would be in before sundown, and I wouldn’t let him out during the early dawn hours. He would always return to me when I “whistled for him”.
One day my husband let him out in the morning when it was still dark out. I just knew within hours that he had been taken. I’ve since forgiven my husband, but I’ve never forgotten.
Wonderful essay. I live in Seattle near a greenbelt and see coyotes often - sometimes trotting along on the sidewalk like any other canine, only leashless and human-less. The other day one crossed a path in the Arboretum in front of my friend and I with our leashed dogs - not 25 feet away. It was a beautiful animal - healthy looking and bold. I love their ingress into human territory. It makes me feel closer to wildness.
Bill thank you for this wonderful essay. You bring 3 gifts - a quiet step that allows you in to nature, a quick eye and trigger with the camera. And a deep and joyful connection through words. gratitude for now, More in another post . Odessa
Another great essay, Bill. Joni Mitchell's tribute in "Coyote" to an unnamed man (although we can guess) also captures the elusive, sensual nature of these creatures. Thank you for your equally thoughtful piece. Here are just a few lines from JM:
I looked a coyote right in the face
On the road to Baljennie, near my old home town
He went running thru the whisker wheat
Chasing some prize down
And a hawk was playing with him
Coyote was jumping straight up and making passes
He had those same eyes just like yours
Under your dark glasses
“It’s the empathy you feel with a living, individual being that really helps you understand.”
( Jane Goodall, 2009 Time magazine)
Thank you for your wonderful perspective.
“A feather fell from the sky; the eagle saw it, the deer heard it, and the bear smelled it. Coyote did all three.”
My favorite…
Hi Bill,
I think we are neighbors. I just moved in next door and would love to talk to you about using my yard for habitat plantings and other projects. Nancy
Fascinating story Bill. My son used to live on a small farmstead a field away from timber. One evening we were sitting on his deck at sunset and we’re serenaded by a mother coyote and pups in the timber. It was unforgettable.
Thank you for this wonderful piece. I'm fascinated by coyotes. Where I live now we have a pack that moves through the yard at night to hunt, get water (we're located between woodlands and a small network of streams), and by the sound of it, let the children work off some extra energy. I love listening to their "chatter." This year they haven't migrated through the woods much as it's become more populated, less prey, etc, I'm assuming.
Beautiful work, Bill. Thank you. I've long been fascinated by the 20th century shift eastward by coyotes spreading and mixing with wolves (and dogs) so that they now occupy the entire country. As I understand it, they were fairly strictly a western species until we'd eradicated all large predators in the east and fragmented the landscape. Their resilience and beauty give me hope but the attitude of some hunters (and the state game agencies who allow year-round hunting) who still think eradication is both rational and possible bring me right back down again. Anyway, thanks for another elegant and sensitive piece.
Excellent essay on the Coyote. I've had several amazing encounters with them over the years. My favourites are from 2014-2015 while living in Calgary Alberta. I got to observe a mated pair and a juvenile for several months. It was fun to watch them lope about in the fields on the outskirts of the city. I still think about them now 10 years later. That's a great Native American saying about the Coyote doing all three.
Great stuff Fish...The rule when deer hunting was thus: if you come upon coyote chasing a deer, shoot the coyote. Truth be told, I never shot either, preferring instead to watch nature take its course.
Beautiful! And I learned a lot. Coyote live in the wetlands behind us and sometimes howl at night. I will begin to think of them differently now.
I love all your nature stories. I especially like how you describe coyote as an adaptogen, a shapeshifter, as well as a story teller. I live off the beaten path on 13 acres and often hear them in the woods around us. I’m pretty sure one may have gotten an indoor/outdoor cat I had, he was 8 years old. The cat had a curfew and would be in before sundown, and I wouldn’t let him out during the early dawn hours. He would always return to me when I “whistled for him”.
One day my husband let him out in the morning when it was still dark out. I just knew within hours that he had been taken. I’ve since forgiven my husband, but I’ve never forgotten.
Wonderful essay. I live in Seattle near a greenbelt and see coyotes often - sometimes trotting along on the sidewalk like any other canine, only leashless and human-less. The other day one crossed a path in the Arboretum in front of my friend and I with our leashed dogs - not 25 feet away. It was a beautiful animal - healthy looking and bold. I love their ingress into human territory. It makes me feel closer to wildness.
Where did the story at the end come from?
Bill thank you for this wonderful essay. You bring 3 gifts - a quiet step that allows you in to nature, a quick eye and trigger with the camera. And a deep and joyful connection through words. gratitude for now, More in another post . Odessa
Coyote America is one of my fave books! I always feel so grateful and in awe when o encounter them :) thanks for this delightful essay
That. Is a cool story.
Thanks for sharing your interactions with these fascinating creatures, but particularly for the ‘lore’ at the end. Very cool.
Fascinating.
Really enjoyed this one. Thanks, Bill!