It's Fall in the desert...a welcome relief
Fall has arrived with unusually cool weather for this California desert. I love the 70 to 80 degree days! It's good to see the coyotes again. They disappeared for over a year and I missed them. One of their favorite foods disappeared too...the rabbits. I'm beginning to see a few rabbits, but not many.
Living along the migratory bird path in California, I'm enjoying seeing families of birds I would not normally see traveling from Canada to Mexico for winter. Some of them are quite exotic. Next spring, they will travel back home to Canada.
COYOTES
While some of the inner city folks are afraid of coyotes (sometimes for good reason), we in the rural desert find them a welcome, everyday sight along with the other wildlife. They were here before we built our homes and cities, they are important to the delicate cycle of life, and we have much to learn from them. With California fires burning them out of their homes in the mountains, they will wander into urban neighborhoods looking for food. Where else will they go? Of course, people with small pets need to keep their animals close or they could be a warm meal for these predators. By learning to co-exist with wildlife, we will help heal the planet.
I spotted this healthy, young adult coyote yesterday across the field from my home around 7 a.m. still foraging for food. Notice the erect ears for listening with their super keen hearing.
The large, bushy tail distinguishes the coyote from most dogs. With his tail half raised, he is aware that I am watching him, but he's not worried about me.
Here is the same coyote pausing using the camouflage technique to blend into the environment so they remain hidden from searching eyes. During pursuit, a coyote may reach speeds up to 43 mph (69 kph),
and can jump over 4 meters (13? feet). To learn more about coyotes, visit this link.
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK
I captured this image of a beautiful Sharp-Shinned Hawk one morning. I was alarmed to hear what seemed to be a big rock hurled at my bedroom window. Seeing the outline of a pigeon in full flight slammed into my window, I looked up and saw this hawk gazing at me, then purposefully turning his attention to the dazed pigeon on the ground. With speed and dexterity, the hawk lifted the pigeon over the fence to enjoy his catch.
The world is full of life and amazing creatures. Look up, look around and you'll be surprised what you might find!
Living along the migratory bird path in California, I'm enjoying seeing families of birds I would not normally see traveling from Canada to Mexico for winter. Some of them are quite exotic. Next spring, they will travel back home to Canada.
While some of the inner city folks are afraid of coyotes (sometimes for good reason), we in the rural desert find them a welcome, everyday sight along with the other wildlife. They were here before we built our homes and cities, they are important to the delicate cycle of life, and we have much to learn from them. With California fires burning them out of their homes in the mountains, they will wander into urban neighborhoods looking for food. Where else will they go? Of course, people with small pets need to keep their animals close or they could be a warm meal for these predators. By learning to co-exist with wildlife, we will help heal the planet.
I spotted this healthy, young adult coyote yesterday across the field from my home around 7 a.m. still foraging for food. Notice the erect ears for listening with their super keen hearing.
The large, bushy tail distinguishes the coyote from most dogs. With his tail half raised, he is aware that I am watching him, but he's not worried about me.
Here is the same coyote pausing using the camouflage technique to blend into the environment so they remain hidden from searching eyes. During pursuit, a coyote may reach speeds up to 43 mph (69 kph),
and can jump over 4 meters (13? feet). To learn more about coyotes, visit this link.
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK
The world is full of life and amazing creatures. Look up, look around and you'll be surprised what you might find!
Posted by desertgurl at 10/14/2009 2:26 PM 
Categories: environment,animals
Tags: wildlife desert hawk coyote california animals birds sharp shinned hawk
Categories: environment,animals
Tags: wildlife desert hawk coyote california animals birds sharp shinned hawk
Thank you so much for this wonderful posting, Desert Gurl! It is evocative and thoughtful - and lovely!
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Agreed, co-existence means more than just with other humans, it means to live harmoniously with the world around us!
Thanx for posting this reminder 'Desert Gurl'!
You know there really is still a chance for peace and that chance will definitely increase if we each do our piece. So let’s make peace -- in our homes, in our own hearts, in our relationships, in our communities, in all of our dealings and in the world. Peace be with us all.
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This is a beauty Marion! I love Fall, and I miss my wild life home! you brought warms to my soul! thanks for the lovely pictures and the share! hugss!
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How lovely...I miss Taos, New Mexico where I had similar wildlife. You remind me.
I can hardly wait to get to the mountains and woods..well, in Vermont it will be hills..but to the wildlife. There are geese here in the Chicago area, but they don't come up to your door the way animals do in the South West.
Thanks for the pictures and for posting this.
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Alice, Kim, Hudalight and Tsandi Crew...
I'm glad you enjoyed this post. Wildlife and the outdoors brings out something personal and sacred to each of us. Wishing you all a special Fall season of wonder, change and hope. Marion
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