I was near the end of a quiet photo walk on the Sandtown Trail at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge. I had not taken a single photo yet, and I was fine with that.
Then I rounded a bend and saw a large coyote walking the asphalt trail ahead of me.
Sandtown Trail Coyote on the Bend Ahead
The coyote was moving along the trail when I first spotted her. She was close enough that I had to react fast, but far enough away for one quick photo.
I immediately crouched low to the ground. I wanted to keep a smaller profile and avoid drawing more attention than needed.
She still saw me.
I made the photo just as she turned to leave. That quick look back gave me the frame I wanted. It also showed her long legs, alert ears, and lean body shape.
This encounter reminded me how much wildlife uses these trails when people are not crowding the area. Even an asphalt path can become part of a travel route for a predator.
Reading the Size and Shape of This Oklahoma Coyote
What stood out most was her height. She looked unusually tall for a coyote at this refuge.
I estimated she stood a little over two feet at the shoulder. That was not a measured height, but it was my clear field impression. I have photographed wildlife around this refuge for many years, and she was the tallest coyote I have seen there.
Her build also caught my attention. She looked long-legged and rangy, with a narrow muzzle and a full tail. Her posture was alert, but she did not linger after spotting me.
I have photographed coyotes on this trail before, including two young coyotes that came close during another encounter: Two Young Coyotes Coming Close
This one felt different. Her size, her confidence on the trail, and the suddenness of the meeting made the moment stand out.
Photographing a Brief Coyote Encounter from Low on the Trail
There was not much time to think through the shot. I crouched, framed her quickly, and made the photo before she left the trail.
That low position helped. It kept me from standing tall over the scene, and it gave the photo a more direct view of the coyote.
The light was soft enough to hold detail in her coat and face. The trail also helped frame her, while the green edges showed the habitat around her.
Why This Trail Encounter Stayed With Me
Some wildlife encounters last only a few seconds, but they stay with me for years. This was one of those moments.
I had gone out expecting a simple walk. I came back with a photo of a remarkable coyote and another reminder of why I enjoy spending time at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge.
She is a real beauty, Steve!