Posts tagged wildlife
I heard Killdeer all morning during history class. When class ended, there were two adults and six babies running around in a small patch of grass right outside the door. Very cool!
The bucks are getting their antlers back with plenty of velvet.
The young bucks are starting to grow their antlers out again.
Another day, another coyote.
The day before Easter, my girlfriend Kelly and I went for a nice little hike and saw a bunch Jack Rabbits running around. More than I have ever seen at one time. They must have been getting ready for the holiday, or maybe it’s just spring? Edgwood Park, Redwood City, CA
Male Harrier Hawk gliding through the hillside in search for food. Russian Ridge Preserve. La Honda, CA
Pied-billed Grebe, flapping across the water at Alpine Pond next to the David C. Daniels Nature Center. La Honda, CA
I have seen bobcats before, but only for a split second or from a far distance away. Luckily when I was walking in Russian Ridge a couple days ago, I saw this little bobcat on a morning hike. She looked pretty skinny, and was out hunting. I followed her for a few minutes on a trail above without her noticing me. When our trails connected she sat down to clean her back and spotted me. She froze and didn’t seem like she knew what to do, but got up after a couple minutes and continued walking her trail. I followed her at a distance for a few more minutes before she made her way off the trail and into the woods. Luckily I was able to get some good shots of her before she was gone from sight.
Today I came across this coyote who was out hunting. He had found a gopher hole and managed to dig out a couple of babies to snack upon. Soon after, I could see he was onto something, but couldn’t tell what. He started running and I lost him behind a hill. I looked to the other end of the hill to where he would soon pop out and noticed a bobcat. As soon as I spotted the bobcat it must have seen the coyote coming its way because he booked it. The coyote was right behind as they both darted over the hillside and out of view. Later when I reviewed the video I took of the pursuit, I saw the bobcat run up a tree and the coyote stop at the base, not able to climb up to catch him.
I haven’t been out to the preserves for the last two weeks. I had my wisdom teeth removed and started a new job. Today when I got off work, I headed straight up to Monte Bello and watched this beautiful Great Blue Heron hunt for fish.
I got into contact with Janet Kessler of Coyote Yipps in September 2012, when I first began my quest for the coyote. I had not yet seen one and asked her for advice. She encouraged me to spend a lot of time where I knew coyotes were, so I did just that. After months without seeing a coyote, I finally came across one at the end of the day at the Arastradero Preserve in Palo Alto, California. Since then I have been dedicated to going out to the many Mid Peninsula Preserves each week and continue looking out for coyotes and other wildlife.
I recently got back into contact with Janet and told her the story of how I came into the wonderful world of wildlife photography, and how my admiration for the coyote continues to expand. Janet was kind enough to post my story and a photo I had taken of a coyote near Castle Rock State Park last week. Here is a link to the posting on her amazing website.
Please take a look around the Coyote Yipps website, and take the time to admire the pictures and videos Janet has accumulated of the amazing and wild coyote. Janet cares very much for this beautiful animal and works hard to spread the word that these animals are not filthy, dangerous pests, but should be respected and protected.
