Peaceful Coexistence (Detente) in the Face of a Common Enemy
Both Coyotes and White-tailed Jackrabbits (hares despite the name) are very skittish when sighting cars in the open fields of the Manitoba prairie farmland, even at great distances. These big hares are especially skittish in large groups where one hare's fears spread to all quickly.
I spotted 2 coyotes running away in a field at a great distance but saw a chance of using a farmhouse and its shelterbelt as a blind to get a closer running shot. On arrival at a conducive spot at the far edge of the shelterbelt, my car inadvertently scattered a large group of White-tailed Jackrabbits previously well off the road in the shelterbelt.
I found it fascinating that the second coyote, when it emerged in view, ran right through a group of the hares, most of which paid little or no attention to the dangerous predator. Here you see 8 hares nearby and only one is running (and not all-out in panic). The coyote had already passed many more, some within 4-5 feet. Both sides were evidently more concerned about my car than each other.
There is little doubt what the 2 coyotes were doing before seeing my car: looking for some tasty hare meat.
You don't see this every day, as the cliche goes!
Peaceful Coexistence (Detente) in the Face of a Common Enemy
Both Coyotes and White-tailed Jackrabbits (hares despite the name) are very skittish when sighting cars in the open fields of the Manitoba prairie farmland, even at great distances. These big hares are especially skittish in large groups where one hare's fears spread to all quickly.
I spotted 2 coyotes running away in a field at a great distance but saw a chance of using a farmhouse and its shelterbelt as a blind to get a closer running shot. On arrival at a conducive spot at the far edge of the shelterbelt, my car inadvertently scattered a large group of White-tailed Jackrabbits previously well off the road in the shelterbelt.
I found it fascinating that the second coyote, when it emerged in view, ran right through a group of the hares, most of which paid little or no attention to the dangerous predator. Here you see 8 hares nearby and only one is running (and not all-out in panic). The coyote had already passed many more, some within 4-5 feet. Both sides were evidently more concerned about my car than each other.
There is little doubt what the 2 coyotes were doing before seeing my car: looking for some tasty hare meat.
You don't see this every day, as the cliche goes!