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Young coyote checking out the orchard - on the hillside and down in the glade, there are many wild plum trees that the birds enjoy.....I soon discovered that the coyotes enjoyed fruit as well as I noticed that my fallen fruit seemed to be disappearing quite regularly...
Here is a quote from the Coyote Project which describes who I was looking at: "June and July are peak seasons for coyote sightings, however. Born in April and May, young coyotes are just learning in the summer months to hunt. "They're teenagers," said Gina Farr, communications director for the wildlife group Project Coyote. "They're trying to figure out how the world works."
Young coyote on the outcropping
For the last month we have heard the explosive yips and howls of a coyote pack ringing through the night. Alerted to their presence and realizing there were pups, I began to watch the hillside next to our yard. Covered in thick brush, dry earth and a steep slope, I knew this was a prime coyote denning area. Then, a couple of weeks ago, I saw this pup and another on the hillside sitting in the morning sun relaxing. In the days that followed I saw these young coyotes beginning to explore the area around the den and coming in closer proximity to our fence line. The wait has paid off. I finally got an opportunity today for a shot. Not the best, but I'm thrilled to document the moment.
Here is a quote from the Coyote Project which describes who I was looking at: "June and July are peak seasons for coyote sightings, however. Born in April and May, young coyotes are just learning in the summer months to hunt. "They're teenagers," said Gina Farr, communications director for the wildlife group Project Coyote. "They're trying to figure out how the world works."
standing on the hillside I was able to shoot this guy bounding through the tall grasses.
thank you so much for your visits and inspiration!
I found this male turkey foraging in the open meadow near the back waters of the bay. I think the feather coloration is remarkably beautiful on this unique American bird.
beautiful western scrub jay
This bird was so interesting to watch in the yard that I had to know more. She/he would raid the dog's bowl, defend the yard from interlopers and took amazing care of either her mate or offspring who was always nearby.
In time, with a camera in hand, I got to capture her patterns of movement as she traversed the yard and open meadows behind the house that made up her world.
For the last month we have heard the explosive yips and howls of a coyote pack ringing through the night. Alerted to their presence and realizing there were pups, I began to watch the hillside next to our yard. Covered in thick brush, dry earth and a steep slope, I knew this was a prime coyote denning area. Then, a couple of weeks ago, I saw this pup and another on the hillside relaxing in the morning sun. In the days that followed I saw these young coyotes beginning to explore the area around the den and coming in closer proximity to our fence line. The wait has paid off. I finally got an opportunity today for a shot. Not the best, but I'm thrilled to document the moment.
Here is a quote from the Coyote Project which describes who I was looking at: "June and July are peak seasons for coyote sightings, however. Born in April and May, young coyotes are just learning in the summer months to hunt. "They're teenagers," said Gina Farr, communications director for the wildlife group Project Coyote. "They're trying to figure out how the world works."
In California, our green spring has been over in a heartbeat. With our small rainfall and high temperature days, this color has now turned to golden brown and fire warnings are a daily part of life.
The quail had gone missing in action for the last two weeks. No territorial calls...radio silence....Then, a wonderful discovery on Independence Day when the quail couple showed up with 12 chicks. With eyes barely opened, they followed the mother under the cover of brush as they learned to traverse the hillside. Day two they made it a little higher up the hill and I watched her teach them how to look for food.
Like listening to steady sonar, the male is always close at hand making a ticking sound that signals the adults' presence while the mother is teaching the art of foraging. With a quick darting peck to the ground by the female, the chicks would excitedly charge to where her beak landed and learned to repeat the behavior.
Last year I saw 13 chicks with the survival of only one. It is not an easy life for a quail chick with all the feral cats, coyote, skunks and predatory birds and I find it amazing that they can survive in this rural-urban location at all.
I got a kick out of this article written to dispute the idea that Benjamin Franklin had wanted a turkey as the national bird....
"The Franklin Institute, addressing what I’m sure is their favorite question about one of the most complex and interesting men to ever live in this country, excerpts a letter from Franklin to his daughter, in which he does in fact question the choice of the eagle, commenting that the selected design looks more like a turkey. Franklin then expounds on the respectability and morality of each bird, which really seems like such a Ben Franklin thing to do:
“For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his Living honestly. You may have seen him perched on some dead Tree near the River, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the Labour of the Fishing Hawk; and when that diligent Bird has at length taken a Fish, and is bearing it to his Nest for the Support of his Mate and young Ones, the Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him.
With all this injustice, he is never in good case but like those among men who live by sharping & robbing he is generally poor and often very lousy. Besides he is a rank coward: The little King Bird not bigger than a Sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the district. He is therefore by no means a proper emblem for the brave and honest Cincinnati of America who have driven all the King birds from our country…
“I am on this account not displeased that the Figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a Turkey. For the Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America… He is besides, though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on.”
Full article: www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/american-myths-benjam...
Thank you for your visits, comments and continual inspiration!!