The Odd Couple: Young Mule Deer Buck and Coyote
Rocky Mountain Front Range, Colorado, Dusk.
I looked out our back window into this low area behind our home. It was filled with shadows as the sun already was setting (thus the grainy quality of this image). This coyote appeared and walked about three feet away, directly in front of this young buck! The buck watched it, but then continued to graze.
Next, the coyote went to the buck's right and laid down, as seen in this photo. Minutes later, the coyote arose and walked into the thicket of bushes behind it. Then it reappeared at the right edge of the thicket and walked past and behind the buck.
Remarkably, it laid down, raised its legs, and exposed its underside to the buck! I interpreted it as an act of submission, as I've often seen with dogs. But I defer to anyone who understands wild animal behavior better than I! Or, . . was the coyote being coy?
After a few more moments the coyote got up and continued on its way. And the buck resumed eating whatever mid-winter fodder it could find. It was an interesting encounter to witness!
The Odd Couple: Young Mule Deer Buck and Coyote
Rocky Mountain Front Range, Colorado, Dusk.
I looked out our back window into this low area behind our home. It was filled with shadows as the sun already was setting (thus the grainy quality of this image). This coyote appeared and walked about three feet away, directly in front of this young buck! The buck watched it, but then continued to graze.
Next, the coyote went to the buck's right and laid down, as seen in this photo. Minutes later, the coyote arose and walked into the thicket of bushes behind it. Then it reappeared at the right edge of the thicket and walked past and behind the buck.
Remarkably, it laid down, raised its legs, and exposed its underside to the buck! I interpreted it as an act of submission, as I've often seen with dogs. But I defer to anyone who understands wild animal behavior better than I! Or, . . was the coyote being coy?
After a few more moments the coyote got up and continued on its way. And the buck resumed eating whatever mid-winter fodder it could find. It was an interesting encounter to witness!