Coyote Stalking Adult Sandhill Cranes

Coyote and three Sandhill Cranes in sagebrush and grasses – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Yesterday morning while up in the Wasatch Mountains I heard Sandhill Cranes calling repeatedly and when I spotted them I also found a Coyote near the cranes. The Coyote was challenging to point out as it moved through the sagebrush and grasses but the three cranes were easier.

I strongly suspect that the cranes either had a nest with eggs nearby or perhaps even young but flightless colts in the area and that they were drawing the Coyote away from where the eggs or chicks were located. I have zero proof of either theory but I do know these birds could have easily flown away from the danger the Coyote presented. They kept a keen eye on the Coyote as it moved towards a clump of willows while calling repeatedly.

It was 8:36 am when I found the cranes and coyote. Given the distance between myself and my subjects these images are for documentation purposes only and they won’t make it into my photo galleries. Or maybe they will.

Coyote stalking three Sandhill Cranes – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

The Coyote reappeared from the clump of willows and walked slowly towards the adult Sandhill Cranes at which time they moved slowly away from it. The cranes didn’t seem to be in a hurry.

Sandhill Cranes taking flight from the Coyote – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

But when the Coyote got a little too close for their comfort the Sandhill Cranes lifted off and took flight. The cranes didn’t fly far though. I think they flew just far enough away to stay out of danger and so that they could continue keeping an eye on the four-legged predator.

Coyote resting behind some willows – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

The Coyote at one point laid down behind a stand of willows while the cranes watched it. I watched as the Coyote groomed itself and even rolled in the grasses a few times.

Can you see the Coyote in the image?

Three Sandhill Cranes watching the Coyote – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

The Sandhill Cranes continued to call, to keep an eye on the Coyote as it rested in the grasses behind the willows. One of the cranes kept leaping into the air as it called. In the distance I could hear another Sandhill Crane calling and after this photo was taken that crane flew in to join the three other cranes.

Coyote and two Sandhill Cranes – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

The Coyote got up and continued to stalk the four Sandhill Cranes in the grasses while the cranes kept far enough away from it that the four-legged predator posed no danger to them. This was the last photo I took where I had a clear view of the coyote’s face with cranes in the frame.

Four Sandhill Cranes and a Coyote – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

This last image shows all four Sandhill Crane adults as the Coyote moved towards them.

I knew that the Coyote wasn’t going to feast on the sandhills. I do believe they were keeping it away from a nest or their young.

It was fascinating to watch all of this natural drama play out through my viewfinder. If I hadn’t spotted the Coyote behind the cranes I may have missed all of the action and continued up the road.

It was 8:51 am when I left the coyote and the cranes. That was a great fifteen minutes spent learning more about birds and nature.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Sandhill Crane photos plus facts and information about this species. Click here to see more of my Coyote photos plus facts and information about this species.