Several months ago, one of the world famous Alaskan Redingtons made a visit to our little place.
Ryan.
Besides blessing us with his low-key, high-character personality, we got to know him as a friend. A woodsman.
Oddly enough, even though he educated us, and entertained us, I will always remember him for one thing…heading to the woods, coyote call in hand, to see if he could get a glimpse of one of these beautiful creatures.
During his last night in Michigan, Ryan wanted to connect with a Canis latrans.
Tonight, while we were finishing up a late dinner, I bolted from the cabin upon hearing the familiar staccato drill. (Click on drill for a realistic coyote serenade.)
Coyotes.
One was near the cabin, just out of reach. While the second one was up near the Wee House.
While listening to them call back and forth, the neighbor dogs howled and barked in the distance.
Our own sled dogs remained silent.
Our house dogs wanted to run to check them out.
The silence was broken by the sound of a cap gun firing into the air, assuring safety for our free-ranging rabbits.
Rustic Russ had emerged from the cabin, having left his dinner to attend to the obvious boundary issues.
It’s somewhat difficult to say we enjoy the coyotes, as they have killed our livestock in the past.
However, we respect them as one of God’s amazing creatures.
I think of them now, as the season opened this week.
I also worry about Canis Lupus.
They, too, are in danger of being trapped.
Read here. You will see I’m not the only one worried…
Until tomorrow ~ God willing,
Woodswoman
So glad I was able to meet Ryan (and the others) at your wonderful mushing event in August. Yes, he was a quality young man with wonderful stories for us. Thank you so much for bringing him, Dee Dee and Jason to our little area. India and I were so enchanted by the coyote song that I’ve replayed it a number of times already for her! I did some dryland training today at Grass River for a couple of mile. The dogs were up for it in this cool weather. Winter will be here before we know it. Best to you tonight Woodswoman and thank you for your blog!
Comment by Francie — October 19, 2009 @ 12:09 am
A few weeks ago we had a coyote come onto our property behind the house and laid there for the better part of an hour. He/she did not seem a bit intimated by our dog who was in her pen. After a while, he/she finally got up and very casually walked away into the farmer’s field next door, and finally out of sight.
The coyote’s here are a darker color then in Michigan, but they are still beautiful.
What is a real shame is to see so many of them the victims of automobiles.
Comment by Maurie McGleish — October 19, 2009 @ 1:51 am
Thank you Francie and Maurie for your own stories. I love the feedback.
To me, there is something so haunting about a coyote. Almost more than a wolf. They are amazing animals of adaptation.
Comment by Sherry — October 20, 2009 @ 3:21 am