Maybe it’s because she successfully evaded all dogs chasing her, and particularly the very large white dog who has chased her repeatedly in the past. I saw her follow that dog at a distance this morning to make sure the dog was headed away from her. Did this contribute to her happiness, or are coyotes just plain happy critters — just happy to be alive??
Anyway, after rolling on a deliciously smelly piece of wood, she exuberantly battled dried brambles — Doña Quijote fashion, and finally turned her attention to a ball. She knew I was watching and peeked over at me now and then, smiling — yes, smiling — and then continued her play. *Performing* and *showing off* indeed are coyote behaviors, no different from your dog’s, or for that matter, your children’s!
The photos alone are worth a million words, why say more? I’ve divided them into the smelly piece of wood, battling the brambles, and then rolling on the ball — all within the space of 15 minutes! If you click on the first photo of each section, you will be able to see the photos enlarged as a slideshow. Enjoy!
First, wallowing joyfully on the deliciously smelly piece of wood:
Second, battling dried brambles as Doña Quijote (Doña Coyote?), and winning! This is a game this coyote plays often.
And finally, so much fun with a found ball:
Coyote Yipps 
Apr 28, 2018 @ 01:30:05
I think she’s just howlingly HAPPY to be alive!
Apr 28, 2018 @ 01:34:21
Thank you so much for this much-needed infusion of unadulterated joy!!
Apr 28, 2018 @ 03:52:07
Yes, pure and unadulterated joy is what it is. Please help spread the word! What hunters and pest-managers have said about them should not be construed as the truth.
Apr 28, 2018 @ 07:14:39
What a sweet window into the heart of a coyote. BEAUTIFUL! THANK YOU!
Apr 29, 2018 @ 01:57:03
What a glorious set of pictures!! Thank you for sharing—it has made my day!
Apr 29, 2018 @ 21:18:27
What a beautiful, wonderful blog! I love coyotes and want to protect them as much as possible. Since I don’t live near them, I treasure each time I see one, and do try to talk to them.
More often, I talk the the humans who say how dangerous they are, which they also say about my friends who are raccoons, skunks and opossums. Yet few say dogs are dangerous, though they kill people and almost everyone I know has been bitten or threatened by dog.
I also tell people that the rescued wolves I see in parks in the Bay Area as well as wolf-dogs and coydogs seem far safer and smarter than most dogs since they are not inbred into insanity.
Apr 29, 2018 @ 21:31:25
Nice! Please let’s all keep letting folks know what these animals are really like and let’s keep dispelling the scare-myths that have become embedded over the years. Coexistence is as easy as keeping away from them — the way you would keep away from a skunk — except in this is it’s important to keep walking away, especially if you have a dog. Thanks, BevJo!
Apr 30, 2018 @ 21:07:12
Yes. I’m new here. A delightfully unique place you host here. You might be the Patron Saint of th coyotl. Good for you. I like what you manifest.
Apr 30, 2018 @ 21:44:53
Thanks, Ash. :)) Let’s spread who coyote really is!
May 01, 2018 @ 00:27:02
Wonderful photos. Thanks so much JK!