A photographer spotted a coyote as it trotted into her yard and explored a toy left in the snow. What she managed to capture on camera is the beauty of the play.
Photographer Pamela Underhill Karaz regularly sees wildlife on her 48-acre rural property in Trenton Falls, New York. One of the animals she sees (and often hears) is coyotes. A few years ago, Pamela experienced something magical and photographed a coyote doing something very dog-like.
One morning, photographer Karaz spotted a coyote in her backyard
According to Pamela, “He smelled it, cautiously picked it up then proceeded to PLAY with it, tossing it high into the air, throwing it around and very obviously thoroughly enjoying the experience…he then trotted off with his prize, the toy.”
“It was very evident the coyote never thought this toy was the prey, he didn’t pick it up to see if it came to life, it didn’t smell of being an animal…it only had the saliva from our dogs on it and as someone once suggested, perhaps that had the scent of fun,” Pamela wrote.
“There’s no doubt in my mind from watching his actions, it was all play, yes even wild coyotes need and like to play as do all the animals in the animal kingdom…” said Pamela. “Truly one of my most memorable wildlife experiences.”
