COYOTE N BALD EAGLE

It has been a quiet winter for spotting eagles and coyotes on Guemes Island. For months, I had been searching and tracking coyotes with little success. Occasionally, I would see eagles watching the shoreline for prey. On this day, I was making my usual rounds, checking the area around Guemes Mountain. I spotted a coyote moving quickly along the edge of the lower valley pond on the west side of Guemes Mountain. This area is part of large parcels held by Skagit Land Trust and is currently used for a working cattle farm, thus closed to public access.

The coyote swiftly slipped under the cattle fence and was approaching rapidly for a capture.  

 

The Coyote approached from the northern end of the pond, heading southward upon noticing an Eagle perched at the pond's edge. The Eagle, focused on the ducks within the pond and awaiting an opportunity to seize one, remained oblivious to the rapidly advancing Coyote.

Now within fifty feet, the eagle remains unaware of the impending danger.

As the coyote was nearing its strike, the eagle took flight in a panic, swiftly heading over the trees and attempting to clear the treetops.

He ultimately crashes into a branch, breaking it off and entering a free fall. The coyote is in close pursuit as he hits the ground. He then takes flight and escapes the danger.

© Chris LeBoutillier