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Thursday 2 January 2020

Wily

It was cold, -8 C but it felt like -16. My husband and I decided a walk through the woodland would be sheltered and comfortable. We were right, appropriate clothing kept us warm enough to enjoy the outing, and the golden grand-dog was elated. We allowed her to run after we left the parking area. 





We walked a section of the trail which was new to us. It was at the end of a field, parallel to the highway in the distance.





Coniferous trees, including pines were planted in the area years ago. 





A huge stand of deciduous trees stood in their tall grey silence as we passed.





Georgie was delighted to be off lead. She hadn’t been for a walk with us recently, and she made up for lost time. She ran ahead of us but always responded when we called her.


As we headed back, we put Georgie back on lead as we neared a pond just recently frozen.





It was a dangerous area since she is inclined to explore and the ice might not have been safe.


Then we saw it, a coyote headed towards us on the trail. When Georgie barked, it turned into the woods and headed across the adjacent field. 





I took one quick photo, though not a great one. You can see the animal’s beautiful coat however. It was taller than we imagined but scrawny too. 


Undoubtedly, there are others in the area as family units stay together. We’ve seen the warning signs there about coyotes and we told two mountain bikers about it as we left the trails.


The coyote was an unexpected find but we were glad Georgie was on lead at the time. She will be on lead there in the future for sure.




26 comments:

DJan said...

It looks like it was a fine walk, even if on the cold side. That coyote does look large to my eyes. Glad you had Georgie on lead when you saw it. :-)

Anvilcloud said...

When I have walked the woods in cold weather (when I could walk), I invariably had to loosen clothing by the end of the trudge.

Shammickite said...

I sometimes hear the coyotes calling to each other in the bush behind where live. But soon a lot of that land will be houses and then where will the coyotes go?
Wishing you and your family a Happy 2020, lots of changes to come I'm sure. By the end of this decade my oldest grandson will be 21!!!! Scary thought.

Karen said...

Wow, all the hikes/walks I do and I've never seen a coyote. On another note, you have no snow!!

Debra She Who Seeks said...

So you've got coyotes too, now. Guess they came across the Confederation Bridge!

Secondary Roads said...

Enjoyed the photos from your walk. We have coyotes in our neighborhood, but I rarely see one.

Elephant's Child said...

What a truly beautiful walk - for you and for Georgie. I am glad she was leashed when you saw the coyote - who does look thin to me. Very thin.

Liz Hinds said...

And I thought it was cold here today! Probably about 10 degrees!

How exciting to see a coyote. Are they dangerous?

Tabor said...

That is a marvelous capture considering both the surprise and movement. Grand dogs do live the good life when they visit, don't they?

Linda said...

Simply beautiful.

Can you really feel the difference between -8 and -16? Both are just icy icy cold.

At Home In New Zealand said...

Our isolated nation has no large mammals wandering wild around the countryside, so I'm not quite sure what I would do if I came across something like your coyote. I think you captured his likeness perfectly.

Rose said...

I think that is quite a good capture of the coyote....they are around here, but I seldom see one.

I bet it felt so good to be out walking...I can just imagine how good Georgie felt.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Walking through a stand of trees, be they conifers or otherwise, is always so beautiful .

Joanne Noragon said...

That's a good thing to have figured out!

Debbie said...

good thing for georgie, keeping you safe!!

Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice said...

Thankful that Georgie was on the leash when the coyote made the appearance. Normally you don't see them, quite unusual really. Great scenes to see on your walk for sure!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Good thing to keep the dog on a leash. Coyotes are quick to make lunch of small pets that wander across their path.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

I am glad Georgie was leashed when you saw the Coyote. Love the first shot of Georgie running. The Coyote photo is neat, seeing any wildlife is wonderful. Enjoy your day, happy weekend!

Retired Knitter said...

I so envy your beautiful walking areas. We don't have much of that around here. What a find. A coyote. The fact you got any picture is interesting.

Angela said...

I have never seen a coyote except in photos. Beautiful animal! Sadly humans are slowly taking their woods away from them. You got a great photo! Happy 2020 Marie!!

jenny_o said...

I love that first picture of Georgie in mid-air! That was a great shot.

I stopped walking after dark in our suburb when we had coyote sightings. I saw them myself in the adjacent rural area, only a couple of miles away, around the same time. They are not above attacking a human although they prefer smaller game, and they are getting bolder and moving closer to populated areas here. I'm so glad you had Georgie with you to scare off the coyote, and also had her leashed so she didn't get too close to him (or her). Poor thing does look more skinny than should be the case coming off summer, though.

Barbara said...

First, I have never been in weather that cold. It just amazes me. Second, that picture of Georgie running was a riot. I just loved it. Third, as for the coyote - oh my gosh. So glad the lead was back on Georgie. Exciting day.

Stewart M said...

Very nice pictures - I wish I had the energy of a dog!

Cheers - Stewart M - Tromso, Norway.

William Kendall said...

A terrific shot of the coyote. Georgie looks happy.

Jenn said...

It always surprised me how scrawny coyotes look.

baili said...

oh this was scary to find coyote in the way dear Marie

back in my village coyote were known to pick and eat away any alone walker on thickly wooded hills then
beautiful walk and wonderful pet :)