eastern coyote

Canis latrans

This coyote at Hale Reservation represents hope for coexistence between humans and wildlife in increasingly developed landscapes. These adaptable predators remind us that with proper understanding and management, even large carnivores can find their place in the suburban mosaic. Their success story demonstrates that conservation isn't always about protecting endangered species – sometimes it's about learning to live alongside the wild neighbors who have chosen to adapt to our changing world.

Hale Reservation, Westwood, Mass.

  • "If one's argument for civilization holds that wild predators should never roam in broad daylight through the boroughs of America's largest, loudest, most radically urban metropolis, then, truly, the end of civilization had arrived on paw prints in the snow."

    - Dan Flores

  • "The Suburban Survivor: How This Urban Coyote is Rewriting New England's Story"

    This Eastern coyote was photographed during early morning hours at Hale Reservation in Westwood, Massachusetts, carefully navigating through fallen timber as it searched for small mammals and birds. Its alert posture and muscular build tell the remarkable story of one of North America's greatest conservation success stories – a species that has not only survived human expansion but has actually thrived and expanded its range eastward over the past century.

    What makes this animal special? Eastern coyotes are ecological marvels – larger and more robust than their western cousins due to historic hybridization with wolves as they migrated east. This individual likely weighs 35-50 pounds, compared to the 20-30 pound western coyotes, making them perfectly adapted to New England's diverse prey base. They're incredibly intelligent, learning to navigate suburban landscapes while maintaining their wild instincts. These coyotes are primarily nocturnal and crepuscular hunters with exceptional hearing and smell, capable of detecting prey movement from remarkable distances. Their diet is surprisingly diverse – from rodents and rabbits to fruits, insects, and occasionally small deer, making them crucial ecosystem regulators that help control overpopulated prey species.

    The conservation challenge: While Eastern coyotes as a species are thriving, individual populations face significant challenges in densely populated areas like eastern Massachusetts. Vehicle strikes are the leading cause of mortality, particularly as coyotes attempt to navigate fragmented habitats connected only by dangerous road crossings. Human-wildlife conflict increases when coyotes lose their natural fear of people due to intentional or unintentional feeding, leading to negative encounters and retaliatory killings. Habitat fragmentation forces coyotes into smaller territories with higher competition, while development reduces denning sites and forces them closer to human activity. Climate change is altering prey populations and seasonal patterns that coyotes have adapted to over generations.

    How you can help: • Never feed coyotes directly or indirectly – secure garbage cans, remove fallen fruit, and bring pet food indoors • Install motion-activated lights and practice "hazing" techniques if coyotes become too comfortable around your property • Support wildlife corridor projects that create safe passage under or over major highways • Advocate for responsible development that preserves large blocks of connected habitat • Keep cats indoors and dogs leashed, especially during dawn and dusk hours • Report coyote sightings to local wildlife authorities to help track population health and movements • Support research initiatives studying urban coyote behavior and ecology • Choose native landscaping that supports natural prey species rather than encouraging dependence on human-provided food sources

  • 1/1000 sec at f/5.6

    700 mm

    ISO 2000

    Canon EOS-1DX

    EF500mm f/4L ISM +1.4 extender