The Otters, the Coot, and the Coyote

A slideshow essay by guest blogger Trish Carney
December 27, 2016

As a wildlife photographer I tend to fall in love with the species I photograph. And I have fallen in love with both the river otter and the coyote. I have so much respect for both species and for the roles they play in our shared ecosystem. I love the coyote’s sense of opportunity and adaptive nature. And I love the river otters tenacity, fearlessness and what looks like sheer joy and playfulness in their body language.

“Every species is a masterpiece,
a creation assembled with extreme care and genius.”
— E. O. Wilson

One October morning, I came upon six river otters.
I sat and watched them silently for 45 minutes. Some wrestled, some fed in the water.
Sometimes, they curled up on each other and took brief naps.
I was not the only one watching the otters.
A coyote approached as an otter carrying an American coot in its mouth swam towards the sandbank!
She sniffed the water, keeping one eye on me.
Suddenly, the coyote thrust her head deep into the water.
And while the otters circled and attempted to herd her away,
... the coyote pulled out a partial bird carcass!
She did this two or three more times.
Each time, the coyote ran 25 yards away to feed, then returned for more. Turns out there were several bird carcasses in the water.
The otters charged and nipped at the coyote's feet, but did not make contact.
She snarled, but didn't lunge at the otters.
This seemed like a dance these animals had done countless times before.