Sharp Eyes, Sharp Wit

Bill Bowman
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Sharp Eyes, Sharp Wit
Sharp Eyes, Sharp Wit

Following on a previous post of a raven, I wanted to give some attention to the coyote in Native American tradition. I saw this individual on a recent trip to Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, patrolling the marshes among the flooded fields filled with sandhill cranes, snow and Canada geese, and several species of dabbling ducks.

Like ravens coyotes are often given credit for being wise and clever, though their roles in Native American traditions vary considerably, including tricksters, creators (e.g. stars, fire, and daylight), healers, and omens of major events. In the Diné/ Navajo culture of the southwestern U.S. coyotes play major roles in traditional stories, including the creation story of Earth (along with badger) and makers of mountains. They have been described as princes of chaos, troublemakers, and exponents of irresponsibility as well.

Coyotes are truly adaptable, with a life history well suited to taking advantage of human development. They are omnivores, consuming everything from small mammals, insects, seeds and fruit, to old boots. My favorite story of their ability to live with humans involves the coyote who walked into a Quiznos sandwich shop in Chicago on a hot day, heading over to a refrigerator of drinks to cool down. The police showed up and escorted him to less urban surroundings, but not before the workers at the Quiznos named him Adrien.

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Taken on: November 18, 2024
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Camera: Sony ILCE-7RM4, f/6.3, 1/2500 sec, 600mm (=900mm), ISO 400 (more info) (hide info)
Camera: Sony ILCE-7RM4
Lens: FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS
Aperture: f/6.3
Exposure Time: 1/2500 sec
Focal Length: 600mm (35mm equivalent: 900mm)
ISO: 400
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program: Program AE
Exposure Mode: Auto
Metering Mode: Center-weighted average
White Balance: Auto
Color Space: sRGB
Software: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic 14.0.1 (Macintosh)
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