Wile E. Says Wha???

On a dry hillside in the pinyon pines of the eastern Sierra, where red bluffs reign, and coyotes howl every night - one of those song dogs recently gave the cam trap a very amusing look.

A look that brings to mind that much-loved character of the west - Wile E. Coyote.


"That's Wile E. Coyote - Supra-Genius. Seen any roadrunners?"

And while no roadrunners went by the camera (I double-checked), a few small deer did. Perhaps even small enough for the crafty Wile E. - if he finds a friend.


Lady deer that better watch out - I saw an ACME delivery truck around

A bobcat also did the downhill slink:


Bobcat huntin' through

Likely hoping to catch one of the many squirrels and chips that patrol the area for pinyon and jeffrey seeds. At 25ish lbs, western bobcats are generally too small to take deer or even fawns.


Golden-mantled ground squirrel - a new species for the survey area (but not a surprise)


Least chipmunk - mouse size and well colored for the habitat

Still no porcupine, though.

Perhaps they're no longer in the area, and all the chew marks on the pinyon pines are old. Or, maybe they're ghost-ninja porcupines that move faster than my cams can take photos. Or... somewhere in-between.

Damn uncooperative spiny rodents.

Happy coyote Friday!

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References:

• Nature of a man (this blog - Who Chews?
• Nature of a man (this blog) - posts on cam trapping the Mono Basin
• Wikipedia - Wile E. Coyote

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