Peering through the bush, I saw two brilliant eyes. I slowly walked down the path, keeping the coyote to my right. It matched my pace and started to yip. When I realized it was keeping the same distance, and yipping only when I slowed down, I got excited. Really excited. I was being escorted.

This is an incredible defence strategy coyotes have to protect their litters. They will yip, but not approach, drawing a line between the threat and the pups. They “escort” the threat to a safe distance from the den.

Eventually, the coyote just stood still - I’m guessing this was the edge of its den site. I snapped a few photos. The coyote gave a few more yips for good measure, and took off. This was one of my all time favourite encounters.

25 cm x 20 cm (10”x8”) - $150
50 cm x 70 cm (19 ¾“ x 27 ½“) - $500