This is one of the coyotes I’ve seen recently out at Point Reyes. Note the numerous gopher holes.
Point Reyes seems to have a healthy population of coyotes and bobcats. The same can be said throughout Marin County thanks to the efforts of Camilla Fox. In the late 1990s Camilla, with the help of other concerned citizens, convinced the County of Marin to stop the indiscriminate trapping and poisoning of coyotes to protect sheep. Not only was the trapping and poisoning inhumane, but it killed more badgers, bobcats and foxes than it did the highly intelligent coyotes. Now the County has a non-lethal coyote control program that relies on guard dogs, llamas and electrified fencing to protect sheep. The program has been an unqualified success. Camilla now heads up an organization called Project Coyote which fights the senseless trapping and poisoning of coyotes throughout the United States and Canada as well as other inhumane practices like coyote and fox penning where a coyote or fox is locked in an escape-proof enclosure and then dogs are released to kill it. It seems a bit like dog fighting to me with one side not having a fair chance. Some people actually enjoy doing this. To learn more about Project Coyote click here.
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You notice those gopher holes right off — very nice. Did he stick around to hunt? I would so love to see a badger out there. You hear they exist, but who’s actually seen one?! 🙂
Hi John. No, it didn’t stick around to hunt. It had been walking fairly fast when I spotted it. It was probably about 75 yards away when it stopped and looked back and I photographed it.
I see lots of evidence of badgers (diggings) at Point Reyes, but I haven’t seen one there yet. A month ago I was chatting with some friends about 50-100 yards short of the Pierce Point Ranch parking lot and the next day they told me that right after I drove away they spotted a badger from where they were when they had talked to me. I hope to find one somewhere in the Seashore fairly soon.
Wonderful shot, Jim — a nice dark color to this one’s coat. And great info about coyote control as well.
I would also love to see a badger as well, although I think that’s more luck than anything. The only sighting with photographs I’ve seen is from Galen Leed ( http://www.galenleeds.net/GalenLeeds.Net/Badger.html ).
Thanks Pat. He was at about the point where I think the technical limit is for a quality image.
You’re right about the luck aspect. Also, I think we may miss seeing some because they are so low to the ground (and often under it).
I can’t buy a llama to protect my cat. 🙁
http://www.petnewsalerts.com/marin-county-family-cat-stolen-by-coyote/658/
Justin, I encourage you to keep your cat indoors. Coyotes are only one bad thing that can happen to your cat. Plus, you’ll save some birds’ lives.