Backyard Coyote. First time we've seen one in the backyard.

[J&J]

Not really a trip report since we didn't go anywhere. We enjoyed this sighting from the warmth and comfort of our living room. I'm working on the computer posting some pictures from the last couple of hikes and June says, "Coyote in the backyard." I grab my camera and was able to take 30 or so shots as it wandered around the yard in and out of the woods and coming up to our side door. June had thrown out some bread for the birds but the coyote must have thought it was for him/her.

Close up out the side door.

 

[Kevin Rooney]

Beautiful animal - looks to be in the peak of health.

I wonder if it's a wolf hybrid? I've seen a few wolves, and the way it looks at you and the camera seems almost wolf-like.

 

[TrishandAlex]

Beautiful animal - looks to be in the peak of health.

I wonder if it's a wolf hybrid? I've seen a few wolves, and the way it looks at you and the camera seems almost wolf-like.

I'm not an expert, but I'd guess that it's a hybrid. Looks like one, anyway, from my (untrained) eye. Bigger and bulkier than the traditional coyote.

Beautiful animal. Great pictures.

 

[Jason Berard]

Great shots! Beautiful animal! You can almost see the whole "energy balance sheet" thing that dsettahr? was describing at work!

 

[The Unstrung Harp]

Seems like almost ALL of the "coyotes of today" are looking more wolfy. And so beautiful, and healthy!

J&J, those are lovely shots.

 

[Chip]

Seems like almost ALL of the "coyotes of today" are looking more wolfy..

A study from Maine, I recall, showed some coyote were as much as 80 or 90% wolf, so defacto wolves here now, basically.

J&J, those are lovely shots.

Agree. Good looking animal. Healthy. 10 to 15 years ago we only saw sick/distressed coyote during the day here. Now they have no human/hunting fear so they roam during the day.

 

[TrailwrightBratt]

Thanks

Really" NICE" Thanks for posting.

 

[una_dogger]

beautiful, wild and free

very much like most of the eastern coyotes i've seen from new york to maine (and i've seen plenty)

eastern coyotes are much heavier than their western counterparts. i clearly remember the first time i ever saw one in bedford, ny in ~ 1988 -- there is an intelligence, independence and seriousness in their gaze that is unmistakably wild.

looks like a fifty plus pounder -- excellent balance, angulation, muscle, coat, clear eyes.

nice shots, john, what a gift you had today!

 

[una_dogger]

just wanted to add some observations about the first photo as he approaches the house -- eyes trained forward, ears trained for peripheral sensation, 270 degree surround sound -- oh to be a wild animal so much in the present moment and so adapted to living.

 

[Chip]

A study from Maine, I recall, showed some coyote were as much as 80 or 90% wolf, so defacto wolves here now, basically.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coyote

I realize the attribution here is wikipedia, but I'm sure the actual study is out there.

oh to be a wild animal so much in the present moment and so adapted to living.

You're gonna do an Incredible Mr Limpet on us, if you're not careful .

 

[JacobH]

We just had a great discussion about coywolves ITT:

http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthre...nyone-else-ever-have-an-issue-with-them/page4

Great pictures! Truly beautiful.

The study in question was reported in the Caledonian-Record of VT (Jason that's twice in a week!), and reposted on this blog here(I couldn't find a working link to the original):

http://ncmg.blogspot.com/2005/07/coy-dogs-maybe-not.html

 

[John in NH]

Those are great photos and a beautiful animal. Thats about the size of the ones in the pack by my house, except mine have more black fur mixed in even around face. You can see wolfish charactertics in your shots. Thanks for posting the pics.