"AND JUST THE VERY NEXT WEEK"

Coyote - 9 Photos

There are other places in North America where weather & seasons can change rapidly but Southern Alberta certainly has its share of dramatic transitions. Case in point, last Friday and this past Friday. Temperatures went from the high 20 degrees Celsius to -15 degrees Celsius (at night) with highs of the lower single digits during the day.

And with those lower temperatures came snow and quite a lot. In fact, there was enough to flatten the prairie grasses & shrubbery and encase the woods in a thick white covering.

Unlike the Long-Tailed Weasel who changes its Summer tawny/cream coat to a white one for the Winter (someone must be very happy, as two weeks ago this little mustelid would have been easy to spot against the Autumn browns), the coyote's coat has a more subtle change from lighter to slightly darker in the colder months.

And even with a quick change in weather & environment, the coyote still retains its crown as a master of disguise, blending into its surroundings and seemingly disappearing into the landscape. It can then reappear some distance from where it was originally. Usually it is only the coyote's movement that gives it away.

And then comes a magnificent sunny day when the coyote is drawn into a snowy grassland where potentially there are hidden mice & voles, close to the surface looking for some warming. 

And if you wish to experience the contrast between two weeks, check out the "Prairie Grasslands" blog of October 23, 2023.

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