• Monday-What'sUP December 29 - 11:27 pm

Shawn and Brian Malone have quite the view from their home in the Marquette area. Shawn says today's photo of the coyote strolling along on the ice, was taken in their backyard. Now you're probably thinking that's a good thing, but not always, as the Malone's have a small dog and they have to guard it from predators such as this coyote and others, like eagles, wolves and even an occasional badger. So living on the shoreline like this is a great place to watch the critters, but it has its "cons" then, too.

Given the opportunity to live somewhere on Lake Superior with a view like this would be worth having to keep an extra eye out for the welfare of a smaller pet. Just look at the deer duo Shawn captured. The young deer seems to be enjoying the attentions of its mother as she cares for her youngster. Reminds me of the photo a few weeks back from Steve Brimm. Only Shawn said this pair looked like they had survived an attack by a predator (maybe even the fellow in the first photo), as the mother had a chunk off under her leg and the little one had a number of scratches in it's hide. For now, this pair is safe and well... hopefully they can make it through the rest of the winter unscathed.

Good morning, Mother nature is awsome. No matter what animal we come across in the wild.

We have Coyotes in Commerce Twp. as well, take care of your pets!

Not fond of coyotes, but those two deer are so beautiful!

Before the destructive flooding we had this past summer here on our farm, we had packs of coyotes that would pass thru on their way to the river bottom during the wee hours of the mornings. I miss hearing their wild howling and yippings, especially the pups!

We saw what we call a chicken hawk, swoop down and had a bird pinned up against a wall of a building. For some reason the hawk let it go. I had Bill go take a look at the bird- because it was still moving around- he said there was nothing that could be done so we left. When we came back about an hour later, the bird was gone. That is mother nature for you.

I love that second picture. So tender and loving.

When I saw the first photo, I immediately assumed it was Neil.

I can see the Mother's wound in the second photo, down near the bottom of the picture...ouch.

Coyotes are present in many places. Here in N/W Illinois it is not unusual to spot them. I often see their tracks on our back acreage as they head for the pond.

I love the deer photo. Thank you, Shawn & Mary!

Coyotes seem to be everywhere. I was shocked to read in a Detroit newspaper a couple of weeks ago, that there are even coyotes in Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, and several other suburbs of Detroit. That would be scary to have a small dog, not to mention small children, cats, etc, and have to worry about coyotes, when you live in town, for heaven's sake!

Another threat for injury to deer is often barbed wire fences. One year we found the lower part of a deer leg that had been ripped off and innertwined in the barbed wire. I wonder if the deer picture was taken shortly after their injury...hope they are doing better!

It was in West Bloomfield, Mi., the DNR found 5 coyote dens. It was never said what they, DNR, did about the dens or with the dens. It is ashamed that by where we live, developers will buy a piece of land- strip it and either leave it empty or try and sell it to bigger developers. And in the meantime all the critters who once occupied that wooded area are either gone or dead on the side of the road.

That is all I am going to say about that.

Development into wildlife habitat is making sure that humans and coyotes cross paths more frequently. Coyotes are also extremely resourceful and adapt well to cities (they've even been seen in Central Park NYC). Coyote attacks on children occur occasionally, an unfortunate, unintended consequence of their shrinking habitat. As with bears, it's best to discourage them from hanging around humans by not feeding them and by chasing them off when they enter our yards. Most of them are afraid of us. We don't want them to lose that healthy fear, or they become a nuisance and a danger, and they end up as roadkill or destroyed by animal control.

Oh these pics are so cute. I just love wildlife.
We recently moved from the country to the city of our small town. I so miss the birds,deer and other wildlife that was always outside my window. I love to feed the animals so I would have tons of birds,turkeys and yes, deer too.I gave this all up for a dream to own a old
home and restore it. I absolutely love our home but we have recently made the decision to sell and build a home in the country. Thanks for the pictures to remind me that this is the right decision.

Beautiful photos. We have coyotes here in Evergreen, CO, often. I've never had trouble but my dogs only go out with me and the cats are indoor only cats. I am a "summer only" yooper, having acquired a small cottage in Eagle Harbor a little over a year ago. I love seeing the photos every day and dreaming of summer!

(Ooops, see next message.)

(Now why is this image upload so troublesome today? See next message - finally!)

Lisa R. (Sisugirl):
"As with bears …"

From an old movie title: "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner":



        Where's My Dinner?

Coyotes are now down deep in the city of Detroit! They work their way in by way of railroad corriders. In the citys they intermingle and run with the packs of stray homeless dogs!

FRNash, looks like you had one of 'htsoe days'.:) Glad you got it through....that's a neat picture.

That's what I read, Russ, thanks. Here is one link for those who might be interested in coyotes in the Detroit area:
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008812210387

I found the last third of the article to be of particular interest. Add to that some problems in a number of other urban areas around the country with coyotes and small children, etc, and this is a growing problem, that is not simply one of housing expansion, unfortunately.

Shirley Waggoner (Shirlohio):
"looks like you had one of 'htsoe days'."

Each attempt took forever, eventually hanging after several minutes. After the successful post, I restarted my PC only to find I had one process locked up that refused to terminate. Ahaa!

I wonder if it could have been one of the non-existant cougars that don't live in the U.P.
Mr.Deb

12 gauge shotgun + coyote= dead coyote, all day long! Sorry, just the way it has to be!

I have personally seen those "non-existent" cougars in the UP. I saw two of them cross the road right in front of me. I could hardly believe my eyes.