I have been trying to photograph four Coyote Pups all summer at the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. I wanted a photo of all four of them together but that hasn’t happened yet. On August 20, I finally got a photo of just one of the Coyote pups hunting in a mowed field.

1 Of 4 Coyote Pups
1 Of 4 Coyote Pups

Coyote pups are born in the spring, typically in litters of 4 to 6 pups. They stay with their parents for the first year of their life, during which time they are dependent on their parents for food and protection. During this period, they learn important life skills such as hunting, territory defense, and pack dynamics.

As coyotes approach 1 to 2 years of age, they begin to assert their independence and seek out their own territory. This is when they typically separate from their family pack and venture out on their own. The process of dispersal is crucial for maintaining the genetic diversity of coyote populations and avoiding inbreeding.

Once they have left their natal pack, young coyotes may roam for several months before settling into a new territory and seeking out a mate to start their own pack. The process of finding a mate and establishing a new pack can be challenging, as coyotes are territorial animals and often defend their territories against intruders. However, with time, persistence, and luck, young coyotes are often able to find a suitable mate and establish a new pack of their own.

Gear Used:

  • Camera: Fujifilm X-T3
  • Lens: Canon EF 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS II USM (attached with a Fringer EF-FX Pro)

Technical:

I parked near the Sandtown parking area on the auto tour road to photograph this Coyote pup. I had my camera and lens resting on a bean bag draped over the open window of my pickup.

  • Location: Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge (Oklahoma)
  • Date Taken: August 20, 2020
  • Aperture Priority
  • Aperture: f5.6
  • Shutter speed: 1/2400 sec. (as determined by the camera)
  • ISO: 320
  • White Balance: Auto
  • Metering Mode: Multi
  • Back-button Focus
  • Single Point Focus
  • Exposure Compensation: -0.67 EV
  • Focal Length: 321 mm
  • Processed With Luminar 4

Related Posts:

  1. Coyote Wading Slough
  2. Coyote Slinking By
  3. Coyote Searching For Meal At Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge
  4. Coyote At Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge
  5. Glance From A Coyote