howling

Coyotes – ND #60

Posted on by Lisa Weikel Leave a comment
Not coyote bait tonight (Cletus) – Photo: L. Weikel

Coyotes

Just the other day, Karl and I marveled at the number of times random people brought up coyotes in casual conversation lately. Seriously. And the references have been eerily similar: “Watch your small animals. Coyotes are close.”

If we were in Arizona or New Mexico it would be one thing. But here we are, living in a suburb, if rural, (is there even such a thing as a rural suburb?) of Philadelphia.

When I was growing up, we never heard coyotes. I’m pretty sure they didn’t live in Pennsylvania – or if they did, I’m virtually certain they didn’t live in eastern PA. I distinctly remember being in my 30s before hearing my first coyotes, and we were in New Mexico at the time.

Probably wouldn’t mind a snack, but not a scratchy one

Things Change

Luckily for coyotes, like eagles and hawks, they seem to be making a huge resurgence into our area. This brief video report states that they’re now located in all 67 counties of the commonwealth. And a bit unsettlingly, it sounds like the coyotes that migrated here from out west over the years engaged in some ‘layovers’ (and illicit dalliances) with wolves along the way. Genetically speaking, at least some of the coyotes that are establishing populations here in Pennsylvania are part wolf, too.

I first mentioned coyotes in this post, back in 2019. And I’ve occasionally encountered them howling in the distance while out stargazing.

But over the past several weeks, mostly since the new year, we’ve heard their eerie howls echoing off the steep cliffs lining the Tohickon at least half a dozen times. One time was particularly humorous, because they were echoing and mimicking the wail of the firehouse siren a few miles away.

Coyote – Photo: Wikipedia

 

Past Two Weeks

But over the past two weeks, we’ve had at least four conversations with neighbors or hunters in the area. Everyone is starting to notice them.

Karl and I thought it seemed a bit over the top to hear people warn us to be careful of our animals. They made their comments with knowing glances toward the pups. I have to admit, I couldn’t imagine a coyote threatening Pacha or Brutus. Why would they go after them when there are so many deer and other wild animals around? Game that’s not attached by a long cord to a human seems a lot more desirable.

But you know what? Karl just came inside after taking Brutus out for a quick refresher. When he came in, he looked spooked. He heard coyotes in the field quite close, he said. They were howling and carrying on.

And while the ‘call of the wild’ didn’t seem to perturb Brutus in the least, we both decided to keep Cletus inside tonight. There’ve been too many random people telling us to protect our babies to turn a deaf ear to the warnings.

Weird.

(T+60)

No Comet Tonight – Day 611

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Searching for the Comet 14 July 2020 – Photo: L. Weikel

No Comet Tonight

I’m thinking we were a tad impatient this evening. Perhaps we went looking (and gave up) a bit too early. Or maybe we were actually too late! Whatever it was, the verdict is in: no comet tonight.

I didn’t think so at the time, obviously, or we would’ve waited another 30 minutes or half an hour. It’s only in retrospect, as I look at the photo from Minnesota (at the top of last night’s post) that I’m thinking we went too early. Yeah, the sky in that photo looks a bit more ‘evening-mature’ than the photo at the top of this post.

Then again, I just re-read the article from earthsky.org and I realize it says the comet will appear higher in the evening sky each night between the 13th and the 19th. Hmm. I do believe I’ll give it another go tomorrow night.

Runner-up Bonus

But I have to tell you: we were rewarded with the most amazing gift tonight, which we wouldn’t have experienced had we not been out searching for Comet Neowise.

Alas, I can’t share the bonus with you (tonight, anyway) because I don’t have a clue how to upload a video I’ve taken onto YouTube. But I’m going to figure it out, and I’m going to post this recording because WOW. I had no idea we had a pack of coyotes living so close to us!

They serenaded us with such a cacophony of yips and howls, we almost thought we’d been transported to New Mexico. We couldn’t believe our ears!

We’ve heard the occasional yip or howl at night, but definitely never the joyously raucous sounds of a pack like tonight.

Always a Treat

Which reminds me: A few years ago we took a walk and left our main front door open. Of course, the wooden screen door was closed and locked, but that obviously didn’t hinder the aroma of stew I’d left simmering on our stove from wafting outside.

When we rounded the final corner of our walk-around and could see up the road to our house, we were shocked to see a coyote sitting on its haunches, directly in front of our home. It was just sitting there at the edge of the road, right beside our mailbox, looking ever so much like a ‘good boy,’ waiting patiently for a bowl of whatever yummy stuff it could smell we were cooking.

Amazing. And what a gift.

Maybe tomorrow we’ll both see the comet and hear the coyotes again. That would be better than any tv lineup.

Coyote – Photo: City of Lubbock, TX

(T-500)

Call of the Wild – Day 513

Posted on by Lisa Weikel Leave a comment
Super Pink Moon – Photo: L. Weikel

Call of the Wild

Aroooo! It’s the Call of the Wild. Or is it the Hounds of the Baskervilles? You’d be forgiven if you involuntarily shuddered, felt goosebumps prickling along your arms, and sensed the hairs on the back of your neck standing at attention.

Once again, I wish you could put your finger on the photo below so you could hear the audio that accompanies this ‘live’ photo I took with my iPhone. Alas, you cannot. So you’ll just have to trust me – and trust your own imagination – when I tell you these Wolfhounds create a cacophony of howling, baying, woofing, barking, and growling each and every time we walk past their enclosed fields. Which means pretty much almost every single day.

Tonight was even more special, though. Not only did this guy (or gal, I don’t get close enough to inspect) perform some impressive full moon inspired antics as it bounced its way along the fence spanning the entire stretch of its masters’ property line, but it also got its brothers, sisters, and parents too (we surmise) riled up by extension. The unbelievably hair-raising moans and howls coming from their shelters up by the main house was preternatural – and a perfect accompaniment to the rising Super Pink Moon.

Wolfhound – Photo: L. Weikel

A Quiet Meander

After running the gauntlet of the Howlers this evening, we deliberately took our time walking home this evening. The moon was stunning. Every time we looked at her, a different perspective begged to be exclaimed over, preserved, and shared.

Most of our walk was in silence. The pull of this moon is profound.

Even now, as I write these couple of words to you this evening, I can see her brilliance lighting up the sky as I glance out the window. I sense her presence outside and above me every bit as much as I know, without seeing them in this moment, the shadows her reflected light casts all about us.

We’re All Affected

Let’s face it, we’re comprised more of water than anything else. It stands to reason that we’re profoundly influenced by the magnetic pull of this amazing satellite. I think it’s just that some of us are more aware of her subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) embrace than others.

I hope you had a chance to appreciate her beauty and presence this evening.

Imagine how surprised I was to hear even Brian Williams sign off his “11th Hour with Brian Williams” program on MSNBC tonight with an entreaty that all of us get outside and appreciate the Super Pink Moon.

What an unexpected joy to hear a news program sign off with the value of delighting in gazing at the moon. And even better? He foreshadowed the coming alignment of Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, and the moon in mid-April. Knock me over with a feather.

Super Pink Moon – almost looking like Saturn – Photo: L. Weikel

(T-598)