High key Coyote in a winter whiteout, Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, UtahHigh key Coyote in a winter whiteout – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/1600, ISO 640, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited or called in

Quite a few winters ago when seeing Coyotes on Antelope Island was more routine than rare I photographed this Coyote in snowy whiteout conditions on the island. The Coyote and its mate were hunting for voles despite the harsh wintry conditions. They were so focused on finding food that the Coyotes ignored the “mobile blind” I was in. That morning I was able to take portraits of this beautiful “Song Dog” because it came in close plus photos of it further away from me.

I enjoyed taking and viewing each high key photo that I took of this Coyote and its mate that cold, snowy morning on the island. I’d love to have the opportunity to take more images like this one of this species.

In the nine winters since I took this photo things have changed. It doesn’t snow as much down in the valley as it did back then and when it does the snow doesn’t seem to last as long.

Winters have gotten warmer. It was nearly 60 degrees here in the Salt Lake Valley yesterday and in the mid 50’s the day before. When I moved here in 2009 I never thought I’d see temps that high during the month of January.

Plus, as I mentioned above, seeing Coyotes on the island is now more rare than routine which has truly saddened me because Coyotes are safe on the island which means they aren’t and can’t be shot there for the bounty the state has placed on their lives. I don’t know why we don’t see the coyotes as often as we used to, I wish that I did.

Coyote are beautiful, fascinating, tough, and resilient. I appreciate them for what they are and what they do in nature and I love photographing them whenever I have the chance.

Life is good.

Mia

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