Kananaskis Wildlife: Coyote hunting in the snow

The mountains around the Peter Lougheed Provincial Park in Kananaskis Country were holding onto a blizzard for most of Sunday morning while I was up there hiking and driving on the lookout for wildlife.  My regular spots were empty of creatures, apparently they didn’t think too much of the snow and sleet blowing around.  A couple of hours went by before this coyote came trotting along the ditch beside Highway 40.

He took scant notice of me as he passed and I was so surprised by his nonchalance that I enjoyed watching him without taking any pictures.  I soon corrected that, as I turned my car around and followed him for two kilometres as he headed up the road.  As I followed, he spent most of the trip trotting along in the snow but came onto the road a few times.  Maybe he likes having his picture taken.

Regardless, he dug out three rodents while I watched.  Fascinating to watch him listen, wait and then pounce.   I was impressed as he stopped only for a moment and then came up with the prey without fail.  A couple of bites, swallow and carry on.  I think he was happy for the snow providing the cover above the mice.  Very efficient.

When we reached the turn off to Elpoca, he followed the side road into the valley and I turned back down and headed for home.