Yesterday was a good day for some of the scavengers on Antelope Island.
1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D, Canon 100-400 @ 170mm, not baited, set up or called in
Lower parts of the island had been virtually snowless the day before but overnight about 7″ of fresh snow fell and I was the first one to plow through it on most of the roads. You can see by the drag marks in-between the tracks that the snow was deep enough that many vehicles were pushing snow in front of them. Jackrabbits find it tough going through that much snow so they love to follow the tracks. I include this photo partly so you can see what shooting conditions were like, especially early on. It was cloudy with relatively low light so once again I was shooting at high ISO’s.
1/1600, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc , not baited, set up or called in
The first time I approached this deer carcass there were two coyotes feeding on it but they soon ran off carrying some of the spoils. Later we found this lone coyote feeding on the unexpected bounty . This coyote was extremely nervous and wary. It kept a sharp lookout in all directions and jumped and ran off a few yards at the slightest perceived indication of potential danger. It wasn’t nervous about my presence on the road so I’m pretty sure it was afraid that the original two coyotes would return. Coyote fights over food can be vicious.
1/1600, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc , not baited, set up or called in
Magpies probably consumed more of the carcass than the coyotes did. The coyote and the birds mostly ignored each other but a couple of times the coyote rushed at the birds to flush them off.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc , not baited, set up or called in
It surprised me a little that the coyote spent most of its time feeding on the head of the buck while the magpies were busy at the body.
1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 640, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc , not baited, set up or called in
At times you could barely see the carcass for the magpies. There were sometimes twice this many on it but they were difficult to photograph in these conditions.
1/1000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc , not baited, set up or called in
The magpies had so much food available that they didn’t seem to know what to do with it all. They would gorge themselves at the carcass and then fly to a nearby perch in groups to rest for a few minutes and then return to the deer and have at it again. Many of the magpies flew off with food scraps (caching them perhaps) and individuals sometimes landed very close to my pickup with those scraps in their bills. Sometimes the food item was just a small piece of flesh but occasionally…
1/1000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc , not baited, set up or called in
one of them was carrying very large scraps like this piece of frozen hide and hair.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc , not baited, set up or called in
I love the shape of the magpies tail when it’s fully flared like this though I wish I had a catch light and the antler tine wasn’t poking into its head.
I have no idea why this buck died but I’ll admit to some curiosity about it. There are no predators on the island that would be likely to take down a healthy buck so perhaps it had some health issues and was winter-killed. And as long as this fine animal had to die I’m glad the coyotes, ravens and magpies benefited from its demise.
Scavengers have to eat too…
Ron
I loved this series of photographs, Ron! The diversity of the wildlife in that area you shot in one day is very nice.
Amazing behavioral shots Ron! Thanks for sharing!Charlotte
Terrific series of images! Your western Coyotes (perhaps due to the cold weather) are certainly much more attractive than our mostly drab gray animals. Really interesting to read your descriptions of the interactions of all the creatures.
Oh. Oh. And oh.
As I said to Mia, here in the sweaty season I am LOVING these images.
And very glad that the ultimate bad day for the deer, was a good day (a very good day) for so many others. You included.
I love this whole series of pictures. Coyotes are gorgeous animals, and it’s interesting seeing them co-existing peacefully with the magpies. It’s probably strange, given that a lot of people don’t like them, but I’m always happy when I see coyotes, either in person or in your photos.
I’m a big coyote fan, Susan. I despise how we treat them, especially out west, because if the ignorance and blood-lust of many.
Beautiful series. Love the flared tail of the Magpie. Delightful.
Thanks very much, Dan.
I liked seeing the coyote and jackrabbits. I know this is Feathered Photography but it’s fun to see the odd furry creature.
Arwen, the focus of my blog is definitely “feathers” but if it has anything at all to do with nature it may occasionally appear here too. Thank you.
Excellent series Ron. I understand why you showed the first shot, relative to the snow and conditions, but 3 Jack Rabbits? I expected to see a Golden come down and snatch one up!!
Wonderful shots of scavengers and behavior, much appreciated.
Dick, I looked for those Golden Eagles all morning but struck out. That first photo was taken in the same general area where the eagles were the day before so you can see why (all the rabbits) the eagles might hang out there.