I had an exciting wildlife encounter while photographing at Fort Chaffee in Arkansas. As I stood at the edge of a firebreak, I heard rustling in the brush behind me. I took a few steps forward, and the animal moved closer. I sat down on the ground to wait, camera ready.
A few seconds later, a coyote emerged from the treeline and walked right out into the firebreak in front of me. It stared at me briefly, seemingly unafraid, before continuing on its way. I was able to capture the image you see here.
What struck me most was the coyote’s unusual coloration. This animal had a much lighter coat than most coyotes I’ve seen in this region, with pale fur around its head in particular. Otherwise, it looked healthy and strong.
The other remarkable thing was how close it came to me. I was sitting on the plowed firebreak, while the coyote was just a few feet into the bordering trees. When it walked away down the firebreak, it moved at an unhurried pace, not fleeing from my presence.
Coyote color can vary quite a bit among individuals, but this is the palest one I’ve observed around here. Seeing it up close, unafraid, made for a memorable wildlife photography opportunity. I feel fortunate to have captured images of this beautiful animal in its natural habitat. Let me know if you have had a unique coyote sighting!