In August of 2012 I went on a trip with my girlfriend to McCall, Idaho. We did a lot of hiking through the lush forests, and being aware there were wolves around was a very humbling and exciting experience. Although we didn’t see any wolves on our trip, our last morning hike ended when we stumbled upon a freshly killed deer. The sight was both amazing and terrifying. Knowing wolves and other animals come back for their kills to snack upon, we turned around and cautiously walked back to our cabin.
When we returned home to the San Francisco Bay Area, I was obsessed with wolves, but soon realized I wouldn’t have any chance to see them in their natural habitat anytime soon. A few days later I came across a story about coyotes living in San Francisco’s, Golden Gate Park. I was quickly intrigued and woke up at 4am the next morning to drive to San Francisco to get my first look at a wild coyote. I stayed in San Francisco all day but didn’t see any coyotes, but heard one yapping later that afternoon in the park as I walked back to my car.
Since then I have been exploring the Nature Preserves up and down the San Francisco Bay Area. After a couple months searching for coyotes, I came across my first one in Arastradero Preserve in Palo Alto, CA. We both stopped and stared at each other for a good two minutes before the animal continued on it’s way and I headed home.
Since then I have been hooked on coyotes and wildlife in general. I go out to the Preserves 2-3 times times per week with my trusty camera and take all the photos and videos I can gather of anything from hummingbirds, to deer, to coyotes, and everything else in between.
When I started my journey to find a coyote, I went to the preserves almost every day for three months but never saw a single coyote. It was easy to think I would never see one, yet I stayed persistent. It almost feels as if it were a test. If I really wanted to see a coyote, I had to work for it. I had to gain some sort of trust from the wilderness and coyotes before they revealed themselves to me, because after I saw my first coyote, I quickly saw another, and another. Now I see coyotes almost every time I go out into nature, and it is a rewarding, exhilarating experience which makes my day, every time I see one.
For more of Kevin’s photography, please visit his site: http://kshoban.tumblr.com/
Coyote Yipps 
Feb 22, 2013 @ 13:53:10
Thanks. I really like the photo. I’m always amazed at the photos and video on this blog. The wildlife with which we share our farm continue to amaze us and enrich our lives. How sad to only see coyotes as pests rather than appreciate their complex social structure, uncanny ability to survive and thrive, and finally their role in nature. Just by opening our eyes and minds a little, we find a fascinating drama playing out alongside us yet almost invisible unless we really watch. Hope you will have more experiences to share.
Feb 22, 2013 @ 16:12:17
Thank you for your comment Barbara.There truly is unfolding drama, adventure, and excitement right under our noses and unfortunately a lot of people seem to be moving further and further away from it. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen coyotes hunting and a rabbit explodes from the tall grass, or seen red tails chasing kites, or kestrels diving for prey, or deer dancing and playing. Life is so much more real and awe inspiring in the wilderness than what we get in the day to day of the concrete city life. Animals are such an important factor in our world and echo system, and we really do need to be aware of them and help to preserve them and allow them to live their lives as naturally and uninterrupted as much as possible. I can only imagine what types of amazing things you see living on a farm.
Feb 25, 2013 @ 17:31:40
Beautiful image and remarkable stories…I always love reading Coyote Yipps!