Louise's Utopia: Coyote Of the Coteau

Last week, I glanced out the kitchen window. In the distance and appearing like a misty mirage, I saw a coyote. Here at Coteau Valley Farm we have a lot of coyotes passing through the fields. Periodically, I hear them very close to my house. On some nights I can hear them snapping and biting, viciously at each other. For this reason, I think coyotes seem kind of crafty because they cannot even be friendly to each other. They also have a quirky look on their face which helps them to earn their wily reputations. However, I believe it is that clever personality and their uncanny way of adapting to different conditions that make coyotes fascinating. Many folks feel they have no value but that is not exactly true, they are really important. One thing they do well is to control rodent populations. They also eat snakes and rabbits among many other creatures. The coyote maintains the food chain in a natural way, as predators. Coyotes can also maintain deer populations, they usually are preying on the weaker or sick of the species. This is also excellent. The coyote in the picture above, I watched from my kitchen window. He bounded gayly across the prairie, full of himself and looking curious. He had no idea I was watching him closely with my high powered binoculars. I could see his smart ears perked forward as he playfully attacked holes in the ground. He ran along playfully. I think he was hoping to land himself a rodent. Sometimes the coyote would stop and take some time to sniff the ground or stick his nose in a dirt hole. At one point he lay down and rolled around for a bit in the grass. He seemed to be enjoying himself in the warm sun. He appeared very content. I would imagine after the mild winter we all experienced this year, he too was also enjoying the benefits. There is an abundance of food on the prairie, like mice. Lately I have been walking through the fields, and I noticed the mice population is booming. Fat mice scamper under my feet as I walk through thick clumps of grass in the field. The mice also appear healthy and well fed and their coats are shiny. I think everyone ate well all winter. This coyote was also healthy and well fed. He acted like a young dog as he jaunted through the field, in his happy go lucky way. Had I been outside though, I would not have stood around admiring him. I am not of the impression that he is a lap dog. I can see his long snout, which is full of teeth. I more than likely would have ran home had I been outside, which is a bad idea. Running from a wild dog with your back turned toward it, is just not smart. Dogs like games of fetch and they may decide to join you in the running and catch you! I have heard if a coyote intercepts a hike or walk just shout and clap your hands, act big! I guess I could clap my hands and shout. I could probably hold up that pretense for a minute or two. But the moment he gave the impression he was not backing down, I would run. Wiser folks encourage you to actually move toward the coyote and make noise! Apparently they will turn and run. I hope. I followed him with the binoculars, as he came to a ridge in the field. There he stopped and keenly gazed into the valley below. I could see his fur moving from the light breeze that was blowing over the prairie. With his tail down and his ears cocked forward, he gave the illusion that he was intently listening to something in the near distance. What captured his attention? I will never know. At the ridge, after some time of gazing into the beyond, the coyote finally disappeared into the tall grass. He was gone, just as quickly and mysteriously, as he had first come. I wondered all that day where the coyote had disappeared too. I like to imagine that he found his fat mouse, as there are plenty to choose from. I wondered if I would see him again. I also wondered if perchance I did see him again, would he be alone or with a pack? I hope I do not see him again, at least not so near my house. He looks like he could be aggressive, if he felt threatened. To conclude, perhaps I should look for a whistle or a small air horn to haze any coyotes I encounter. Let me know what you think! Please share the blog! Also, if you could please leave a comment or a heart!

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