Jim Coda Nature Photography

March 17, 2011Uncategorized

Pack of Coyotes on the Hunt

Coyote Pack, Point Reyes National Seashore — Coyote Pack on Outcrop

I went out to Point Reyes yesterday afternoon. I saw four bobcats, although one was probably a double count. It’s hard to be sure. I saw no coyotes until the last hour of the day when I saw a pack of four. That’s the most I’ve ever seen there in a group. I think I saw three of these individuals a week ago in the same area. Unfortunately, when they got to this point they were too spread out to all be in the frame together. These two were in the lead. Are they the alpha pair? Click here to order a print of this image.

February 17, 2011Uncategorized

Bull Elk Near San Francisco

A bull elk ruminates on Tomales Point. — Bull Elk, Tomales Point

I photographed this bull Tule elk in the Elk Reserve at Point Reyes National Seashore a couple of weeks ago. The bulls are dropping their antlers there now. This bull may no longer have his. If elk have egos I wonder how the bulls feel when they lose their antlers?

Those of us who live in the San Francisco Bay Area and like to see wildlife are very fortunate to have Point Reyes nearby. We are certain to see Tule elk and Black-tailed deer at Point Reyes. We have a very good chance of seeing coyotes and bobcats. We can see whales off the coast and marine mammals, such as elephant seals, on the shore. We can see all sorts of bird life, including peregrine falcons. I can’t think of another large metropolitan area that has all of these wildlife species nearby.

February 5, 2011Uncategorized

A Pair of Coyotes

these two coyotes seem to be mates. — A mated pair?

In my last post regarding a bobcat I mentioned I saw a pair of coyotes. It was the first time I’d seen a pair of coyotes in Point Reyes National Seashore. I saw them again yesterday. I think they are a mated pair. The one on the right is very light colored, almost white. Assuming I’m right that they are a mated pair, I assume the light one is the female based on its smaller size. It is mating season, so I assume they will produce a litter of pups this spring. I would love to photograph the pups.

At first I was reluctant to post this photo. It’s not a very good photograph. However, I decided to post it because it is mating season and because of the unusually light color of the one I think is the female.

February 3, 2011Uncategorized

Bobcat, Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, California

A bobcat hunts on a ranch pasture. — Bobcat, Point Reyes National Seashore

I spotted this male bobcat hunting when I was out at Point Reyes a few days ago. I saw him miss on two attempts at what I assume were gophers. In addition to this guy, I saw four coyotes, including two that were paired up. As you can see, some areas are very green now.

January 30, 2011Uncategorized

Bobcat, Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, California

A bobcat rests in a field. — Bobcat, Point Reyes National Seashore

A bobcat takes a rest in a field. I’ve been seeing a lot of bobcats and coyotes at Point Reyes lately. I saw a bobcat and three coyotes last Friday. I saw this guy the previous visit. Don’t recall what else I saw that day, but I have photos of a coyote from then. I often see things, but don’t get a chance to photograph the animal so what I’ve photographed isn’t a good record of what I saw on any given day. When I started going out to Point Reyes somewhat regularly beginning last summer I didn’t see as many bobcats or coyotes as I’m seeing now. I don’t know if it’s luck lately or that I’m getting better at spotting them. Probably both, but with emphasis on the luck side of the equation.