Coyote Contact

It was early in the morning, the air felt cool (finally!), and I was trudging uphill on one of our regular hikes. My mind was on everything I needed to get done that day, and I wasn't really paying attention to Ole, who was galloping with his floppy ear, big paw gallop ahead of me. Suddenly, three coyotes appeared, just in front of us and Ole stopped. He began to do his very-excited-puppy bounce and bark. One more coyote rose up from the ground. The first three wild things took off to the right of us, but this third coyote trotted towards us, hackles up. It stopped, closer than I would have thought, and stared at Ole. Ole was still barking and bouncing, and he stayed between me and the coyotes. Then, the coyote leaned forward, in a posture similar to a dog who wants to play. I have never seen a coyote do this before! Maybe, if I had been more alert, I would have snapped a photo of Ole's fuzzy head, as it kept appearing between me and the coyote as he bounced, but I didn't. I did manage to get the above photo of the coyote. Finally, after giving Ole several good stares, the fourth coyote trotted down the slope towards the waiting three. I guess some hikes are just more exciting than others.

My time in the studio has been frustratingly scarce, as I have been getting new art to both the Cactus Mart in Morongo Valley and Old Town Gallery and Gifts in Yucca Valley for the annual Hwy. 62 Art Tours. For the first time in eight years, I am not showing in my studio! I just needed a break. It's a great event, so if you are planning to be out in the high desert this October, I do recommend it highly. More information can be found here. I hope to get back in the studio soon!