A Morning with Coyotes at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge

Yesterday, I ventured out once again to the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma with my friend and fellow wildlife photographer, Mia McPherson. We aimed to catch the early morning light, so we started our drive right at sunrise along the auto tour road. Our journey began quietly until an unexpected encounter brought the landscape to life.

Whitetail Buck and Doe: A Serene Start

As the sun began to rise, we came across a Whitetail Buck and Doe feeding in a harvested winter wheat field. Their calm demeanor made for a beautiful video capture, but otherwise, the morning seemed quiet for photographic opportunities.

A Surprise Meeting with a Coyote Family

The real excitement unfolded when we drove past the intersection leading to Sally Jones Lake and headed west. Suddenly, a Coyote crossed the road right in front of my truck. At first, I thought it was a young coyote, but as it moved into the field on the south side of the road, the scene revealed much more.

I watched through my lens as three coyote pups darted up to the adult. This wasn’t a juvenile, but rather a parent coyote! Moments later, a fourth pup emerged from the weeds, joining the family reunion. I quickly switched to video mode to capture all five coyotes together.

Family Dynamics of Coyotes

It was fascinating to observe the adult coyote’s behavior. I noticed it placed something on the ground that two of the pups eagerly ate, likely regurgitated food. This is a common practice among coyote parents as their pups transition from milk to solid food around three weeks of age. The regurgitated meal provides essential nutrients while the pups learn to eat more solid foods.

The parent also took time to groom one of the pups, a tender moment that highlighted the strong family bonds within coyote packs. Afterwards, this pup engaged in playful roughhousing with the adult coyote, a delightful display of youthful energy.

The Role of Coyote Parents

Watching this coyote family interact, I was reminded of how both mother and father coyotes are involved in raising their pups, which is somewhat unusual among canids. In many species, it’s primarily the mother who cares for the young, but coyote fathers play an active role too.

For the first few weeks, the mother stays close to the den to nurse the pups, while the father brings food to her, typically leaving it outside the den. As the pups grow, both parents hunt and bring food back, continuing to regurgitate meals for their young even as they start learning to hunt themselves.

In larger packs, older offspring from previous years might also pitch in, bringing food to the den. This cooperative behavior ensures that the pups receive ample nourishment and learn essential survival skills from multiple family members.

Reflecting on a Memorable Morning

We left the coyote family still active and exploring their surroundings, feeling grateful for the glimpse into their world. This encounter was a powerful reminder of the intricate social structures and caregiving behaviors in wildlife, often mirroring the care and dedication seen in human families.

Every trip to the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge brings new surprises and insights, and this morning was no exception. The beauty of wildlife photography lies not just in the images we take home, but in the stories and behaviors we witness along the way. Until next time, I’ll be cherishing this special moment with the coyote family and looking forward to the next adventure.