"CANID FISHERMAN"

Coyote - 7 Photos

Wolves on Vancouver Island, B.C. have been documented fishing for salmon. But this was my first time I have witnessed a coyote, particularly a youngster, "fishing" for Prussian Carp in a small stream covered with slushy ice. 

This particular wetland area has small channels or streams that connect to larger ponds. Supposedly, in Alberta,  Prussian Carp can overwinter in a body of water even if it freezes over as they have the ability to to bury themselves in the mud and go dormant. 

I am not certain whether this was indeed the case for the coyote. (This is EmCee or MC for Mini Coyote.) She may have broken through the ice and dug into the mud to retrieve fish or perhaps, the coyote had uncovered frozen dead Prussian Carp just under the ice. But I suppose the question is, "How did the coyote know there were fish under the ice?" This was definitely not a "sniff, target & pounce" manoeuvre. It was a search out, push through the ice with front feet and eventually the nose and then retrieve.

Earlier, the coyote had ventured out onto a partially frozen pond and had circled the ice, checking out the thin areas of ice devoid of snow (Photo #1). I thought this was just a matter of curiosity and held that thought until the coyote moved from pond to marshland (Photo #2). I now believe she was actually looking for movement under the ice.

The first catch was quick & hidden by the marsh grasses. I got a quick glance, saw that it was large & thought the coyote had managed to catch a duck or pheasant. She quickly retreated to the dried reeds to dine safely. Although obscured by the dried vegetation, a large Prussian Carp can be seen hanging from the coyote's mouth (Photo #7).

Quickly devoured, it was back to the frozen water for another try. This time I could obtain shots, from a distance, clear of the grasses and the shots document how the coyote managed to extricate the first fish (Photo #3 through Photo #5). And then it was another success, although this time a much smaller Carp (Photo #6).

Fishing completed for the day, other venues were calling and MC travelled on.

Note: All photos obtained with the use of the equivalent of a 900 mm lens.

PHOTO #1

PHOTO #2

PHOTO #3

PHOTO #4

PHOTO #5

PHOTO #6

PHOTO #7 - The First Catch of the Day