I spent part of April 14, 2024, at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge with my friend Mia, watching for wildlife along the roads and fields. Before long, we spotted a coyote crossing in front of us and heading into the weeds.
The coyote moved through the area without much concern about us. That gave me time to watch, think, and wonder if I had seen this same animal before.
Wildlife Notes
After crossing the road, the coyote disappeared into a patch of weeds. A short time later, I saw it pounce on something, likely a small rodent. Once it finished hunting, it crossed back into another open field and lay down in plain view.
What stood out most was how relaxed it seemed. It did not bolt when we stopped. It simply settled into the field and watched the world around it. That kind of calm behavior made me think back to another coyote I photographed at the refuge on August 31, 2023, when it was still a young pup (A Young Coyote’s Daily Adventures In Oklahoma).
Could This Be the Same Coyote?
I cannot say for certain that this was the same individual. Still, the idea feels possible. I photographed this coyote in the same refuge area where I saw that young animal last year, and this one showed the same easygoing attitude around people.
Coyotes can remain in a general area when they have what they need, especially if the habitat offers food, cover, and space. With that in mind, I think it is reasonable to wonder whether this was the same young coyote, now grown.
Closing
That possibility is what made this encounter stick with me. It is always rewarding to photograph a wild animal, but it means even more when it feels like part of an ongoing story.
I will definitely keep watching for this coyote on future visits to Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge. Maybe I will get another chance to see it again, and maybe learn a little more about its life in this corner of Oklahoma.