David Jones Photography

First let me explain, when I shoot coyotes I use a camera. Here, I will share some of my thoughts and the techniques I use.

The coyote is looking down at the ground. His head is tilting side to side as large radar like ears scan for the slightest sound of movement. Suddenly he freezes, then jumps straight up and dives nose first down into the golden brown prairie grass, back paws flying in the air. My camera rapid fires at 5 frames per second…click, click, click, click, click… got it! (I hope).
Its 5:30 on a cool July morning. I’m nestled back in a bush about seventy five feet away from the action. I have come to the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve to shoot coyotes.
The Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve consists of over 8000 acres of pristine southern California countryside. It is situated on the edge of the Cleveland National Forest. On most of the reserve there is no hunting, horseback riding or dogs allowed, only hiking. The topography is gently rolling hills covered with prairie grasses and many rare plants such as Englemann Oaks and Chocolate Lilies. Rare vernal pools spring to life after winter rains with aquatic creatures unique to these pools. On one of the trails you will find an old adobe building. Built in 1846 as a cowboy bunkhouse it’s the oldest standing structure in Riverside County.
. My equipment is a Nikon D200 DSLR camera and a Nikon AF VR-NIKKOR 80-400mm 4.5-5.6 D lens. My camera settings will vary upon the conditions but I will almost always use a fast a shutter speed to freeze the action. I will handhold the camera or use a tripod or monopod. Although the coyotes are plentiful at the reserve, they are wary of people. Coyotes are intelligent and have individual personalities. I have had a coyote come to within 25 feet to inspect me but most of the coyotes will keep a “comfort range” from you of about 250 feet, some more, some less. There in lies the problem. With the camera and lens I use I feel to make a sharp 8” X 10” print showing a full view of a coyote I will have to shoot from not much further away than 120 feet.
I believe the techniques I use to get close to the action will work just about anywhere wildlife and open space are available. It’s next to impossible to sneak up on a coyote as their hearing and sense of smell is quite acute. Their eye sight is excellent but seems to be keyed to movement. If you are still they will not spot you as easily as if you are moving. Wearing camouflage will buy you a few extra seconds while they try to focus and figure out what you are. That might be just enough time for you to focus and get the shot. One of the ways I have been able to get within a fairly close range of coyotes is when they are distracted doing something like hunting or playing and they don’t notice your approach. .
Another technique that I employ is when walking on the trails, you might at some points be hidden by the trees and brush on the sides of the trail. As you approach a clearing or open meadow. You should emerge from the trees and bush very quietly and slowly just enough to see into the clearing and stop before entering the clearing all the way to see if there are any animals that that have not noticed you. Keep on edging out until you have a good view of the clearing. Do the same thing at each clearing you come to.
I feel that one of the keys to spotting and getting close to coyotes and most other animals is to walk quietly. Try to look ahead on the trail and not walk on twigs, leaves and other debris that will make unnecessary noise. Don’t always walk looking down at the trail, but keep looking up as often as possible to scan for animals.
Sometimes when I’m by myself, being very quiet, I will hear other hikers approaching. I will hear them about five to eight minutes before I see them. If the average hiker walks at about 2 ½ miles per hour, that means I’m hearing them from about 1/3 of a mile away. Your odds of coming across unaware animals while walking along a trail, talking are greatly reduced. I must say that sometimes when I bring friends and family to hike I will bring my camera, but do not really expect to get close enough to get a good animal shot but once in a while I do, so you never really know.
One of the most consistent methods I use for getting good shots is to lie in wait. To do this I will arrive early in the morning while it’s still cool out. No hikers have shown up and the coyotes are active. I will position myself against a tree or partly tucked back in a bush, with the sun to my back and facing an open clearing. I have been shooting at the reserve for some time now so I know the areas that the coyotes frequent and where their trails are... I wear camouflage like a traditional hunter and sit on a small a three legged folding stool.
The next step is fairly simple…wait…then…wait some more and finally, continue to wait. I feel that after about ten to fifteen minutes any animals that heard or saw your approach will forget about you and go about its business or be out of the area. Now I will sit as quietly as possible and just keep scanning the clearing for the next 30 to 45 minutes or so. If no animals appear I will change locations and repeat the process.
With any luck a coyote will approach and I will get the shot. Most of the time, I will just get a shot of them walking past. On a good day I will get shots that show behavior such as hunting, stalking or animals interacting with each other. I look for this because it adds action and drama to the image.
Some days the coyotes just refuse to get with the program. It’s ok. I just enjoy getting out in the open doing some hiking. Maybe I’ll come across a rattlesnake, tarantula or the ever present California Turkey Vulture. I will shoot just about anything that moves. Ill also shoot things that do not move such as landscapes or flowers so it’s always an interesting and fun day.
One of the reasons I enjoy the adventure of wildlife photography is because you never know what images you will capture. Sharing the images and stories with others is fun and rewarding. It’s also a great motivator to get out and get some exercise. You don’t necessarily need wilderness to shoot wildlife. Your city streets and parks, even your own backyard, all will have opportunities to capture unique images you can share. So get out and start shooting.

© 2008 David Jones