Hey friend!

Angie had to go to work today for a few hours so I took the time alone to go for a walk.  Well, actually a couple walks.  

First stop was to Marie Curtis Park.  I didn't stay long as the amount of people and off leash dogs annoyed me rather quickly.  There is an off leash area and it was void of people and dogs.  The are wasn't closed either as I saw some people leaving it when I arrived.  Why do people chose to pass it by and take their dogs out, off leash, in public areas?  

I left MCP and decided to visit one of my nest box trails.  I hadn't been to this one in a couple weeks and was curious if there were more birds around compared to my last visit.  Yes, a few more tree swallows as well as both barn and rough-winged swallows too.  One great blue heron was in the creek.  Then I crossed paths with this fellow...

An eastern coyote that Angie and I randomly cross paths with, and have been for months now, when we walk this area.  I'd like to think he recognizes me and that I am no threat.  I can pretend, right?  He doesn't flee in terror but definitely keeps his distance.  What a healthy looking coyote!

I refer to all resident mammals I recognize in green spaces I frequent as my "friends".  They think otherwise but that's okay.  It's nice to see the same creatures with each visit and knowing they are doing well, happily living out their lives.

Do you have any regulars where you walk?

Coyote Encounter 2020

 A morning stroll had me cross paths with this beautiful girl.

My first sighting of her had us about 50 ft apart.

I froze in my tracks.  Not out of fear but out of awe, and curiosity as I wondered what she was going to do next now that we were looking at each other.  I was heading north on the path and she was heading south.  After this short pause, she started to walk again, continuing in my direction.  I stayed still and took in the moment.

At approximately 15 to 20 ft from me, she stopped.  Our eyes met again.

I guess she considered me a road block and decided to go around me, stepping off the path and passing me on my left.  She still wasn't more than 15 to 20 ft from me.

I remained standing where I was, only twisting my body to take more photos.

It was when she came back out onto the path behind that I turned around so I could continue enjoying this one on one moment with her.

Seconds later she squatted and did her business right there, having a pee along the side of the path!

Then she kicked up the leaves after she was done.  I was really getting a show from the coyote like I have never experienced before.

It was obvious that by this time I was no longer anything in this coyote's world.  She didn't give me another glance and then continued on her way south.  I found it interesting how she was staying on the path.

I had hoped for just one more glance.

That was not to be.  A thought to make some sort of noise to try and get her attention came to mind but I didn't want to ruin the perfect silence here in the woods.

As she went around that last bend, I quietly thanked her.  Holding a little smile, I turned around and continued on my journey.

I saw zero birds of any kind on this walk.  I saw zero humans too, which was fine by me.  Encountering this coyote as I did here made for a nice, very unique outing, something that I won't soon forget.  I rarely see coyotes, especially this close.

She wasn't tame.  She wasn't vicious.  She wasn't sick.  She's just older.  She's obviously been around, seen some s**t in her territory and has defended it as such (my take anyway) judging by the wound on her right eye.  She deserves respect, to which I gave her, and in return she blessed me with a few minutes in her world... allowing me to forget about covid, work and any other stresses in my life.  The encounter played over in my mind throughout the rest of the day, even as I drove about the Pepsi warehouse on my forklift for 8 hours.