Documenting the Diversity of Dallas/Fort Worth Urban Wildlife Since 2005
Coyote – In the Land of Gar
I observed these two Coyotes early one morning on the way into work. It was very foggy when I took the first two pictures, and the generally poor visibility probably contributed to the Coyotes being out and about a little later in the morning than what is typical.
These Coyotes are on a relatively large undeveloped piece of land, complete with a small wooded area and a couple of small ponds. Everything a Coyote needs right in the heart of the Metroplex!
Soon after my first sighting, I set up a Scouting Camera in the same general vicinity. About seven days after seeing the two coyotes in the fog, I started getting photographs. Again, I used apples as the attractant for the Scouting Camera, but it took quite a while for the Coyotes become confident enough to eat them.
This tract is a very small oasis in the middle of a very developed area. It is amazing that these Coyotes can make their living in the midst of such urbanization.
I observed these two Coyotes early on morning on the way into work. It was very foggy on the morning I took this picture, and the generally poor visibility probably contributed to the Coyotes being out and about a little later in the morning than what is typical.After just a moment, one of the Coyotes vanished, and I was unable to find him again. I took this picture just before the second Coyote did the same. You can get some sense of the habitat these Coyotes are living in from this picture. This part of Garland, Texas contains a multitude of warehouses and industrial park type buildings. The whole area is mostly concrete with only the occasional natural oasis provided by vacant and undeveloped lots.I about seven days after seeing the two coyotes in the fog, I started getting photographs on the trail camera I had setup in the same general vicinity. As you see from this photo, the urban Coyotes in this area are very wary. Most of the early photographs look similar to this one, with the Coyote detecting some sound the camera makes, and jumping out of the way just before the picture is taken.Again I used apples as the attractant for the trail camera, and after almost seven days the Coyotes finally became confident enough to eat them.Even after the Coyotes became confident enough to eat the apples, they still remained very skittish. This one is jumping at the sound of the camera taking a picture. It is notable that the Coyotes were this sensitive to the camera even during the day when no flash was being used.The lure of the apples is very strong for this urban Coyote.Notice the building in the background. it is amazing that these Coyotes can make their living in the midst of such an urbanized area.This is a relatively small Coyote.You cannot be too cautious when you are an urban Coyote!
