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Leaving aside the folk-lore and mythology of
coyotes, here are the facts: Their range was once
only in the Western half of North America until the
Wolf was nearly exterminated in the latter half of
the 1800's, since when the coyote has filled the
Wolf's range (All of North America). Coyotes are
known to have a travel distance of 400 miles, a
running leap of 14 feet and a cruise speed of 25-30
mph, and they can sprint up to 40 mph making them
the fastest of the N. American Canids. Now, they
are the bane of the rancher, the result of which
leads the coyotes to being shot in the fear that
they will kill dometicated animals. Here is the
irony on that note: Coyotes rarely kill
domesticated animals but they are of the few
carnivores left that eat rabbits and rodents that
forage, and quickly consume, the range on which
ranchers feed their animals.
I have lived and camped for years in the West
and have enjoyed falling asleep to the sounds of
yipping coyotes. They are known as the "tricksters"
of the west and I can offer evidence: Once when
camping on the Pacific side of Baja California my
friends and I awoke to find our hiking boots hidden
around the local desert. Still, their penchant for
tricks only makes me like them more.
I found these Coyotes photos shown here in the
Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Reserve. I have
been there several times before and plan many trips
in the future, but I had previosly only seen quick
glimpses of coyotes as they crossed the road to
chase the many birds this region is known for.
During this shoot, I was busy getting ready to
photograph Sandhill Cranes when these hidden ghosts
in the grass thickets announced their presence to
me. I'm glad they did. I've never actually seen
Coyotes yip and howl.
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