The Nature Of Nature
©2007-2009 Shreve Stockton. All Rights Reserved.
All images and content are copyrighted material and may not be used in any manner without prior written permission.
All images and content are copyrighted material and may not be used in any manner without prior written permission.
82 comments:
He really is an amazing creature... he looks so happy! Thanks again for sharing!
I hardly ever comment, but I have to say this is my favorite picture yet. He looks so proud of himself! Like James Dean or someone.
He looks like he's strutting. He's beautiful :)
Has anyone seen that cat?
a leg, right? Of what? It looks so big, but then my image of Charlie is bigger than he really is.
I have been so loving this photographic journey with Shreve and Charlie. I want everyone who reads this to know that not only is Shreve a free and giving spirit to take in a coyote, but that she is also courageous to do it in Wyoming. I live in New Mexico a similarly sparsely populated state and have been horrified by the degree to which predators in general and coyotes in particular are hated and persecuted.
Coyotes are killed with the blessing of the state for fun, they are hunted with predator calls, and trapped with steel-jawed leghold traps for their fur. In almost every state, the number you can kill is limitless and there is no season- you can do it year round. And for the questionable benefit of livestock producers even on public land, the government will also shoot them from helicopters and put out poisons. Your tax dollars are at work to kill 1.6 animals every hour and that number includes thousands of coyotes every year.
Right now though, there is at least this chance to stop the use of two poisons, cyanide and compound 1080. A petition has been filed to the EPA claiming that not only are these poisons an unacceptable risk to non-target animals and the environment, they are also poorly regulated biohazards that could potentially be used by terrorists.
Adding your comments on this petition could help turn the tide and at least stem some of the senseless and brutal killing of coyotes. Here is how you can do it:
1. Go to http://www.regulations.gov/search/index.jsp,
2. Paste in "hq-opp-2007-0944" under the blue "Comment or Submission" tab and click "go".
3. A page will open that shows a series of “comment submitted by . . . ”
4. Under each of these comments, you will see a line that says “send a comment or submission” followed by a yellow bubble. Click on this line or bubble. You will then see a screen that will allow you to either enter or upload your comment.
5. You may also mail to this address:
Office of Pesticide Programs, Regulatory Public Docket (7502P)
Environmental Protection Agency,
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20460-0001
Re: Docket Number EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0944
The comment deadline has been extended to March 5, 2008 and more information can be found here: http://sinapu.wordpress.com/2007/11/28/action-opportunity-help-ban-the-two-deadliest-predator-poisons/
Shreve, I hope you’ll forgive this intrusion to your peaceful and wonderful blog. I think your readers need to know and I know they would want to help. Placing a link on the main page would help even more.
Blessings,
Mary Ray
oops, sorry, hadn't read the next post yet. elk.
Deer legs were a dog delicacy when I lived in Utah! Also beaver tails that were discarded after skinning...uh! When I moved to CA my dog was like..."what's this city crap?"
Once you go elk, you don't go back...
Mary Ray, thank you for posting this important information. I am sickened that my taxes are used for such killing - whether the war in Iraq or the killing of our wildlife whether it's poisoning coyotes or shooting wolves from planes, we must be a voice for wildlife and try to stop these persecutions! I volunteer with a wildlife rehab and a wildlife conservation group and you can be sure I will be passing this on to as many people as possible! Here in Marin County even the park rangers sometimes want to exterminate coyotes because of idiot people who feed them and cause them to become habituated and then aggressive. A fed wild animal almost always ends up being a dead wild animal...
Maggie
Deer legs are still a delicacy in Montana, lol. Along with elk and antelope.
If you read Scrimmer's post about the gov't poisoning of wildlife you may want to visit http://www.nrdconline.org/campaign/nrdcaction_010808
to send an email letter telling the gov't to stop.
Robin
so beautiful :D
even though i'm a long-time vegetarian, and animal rights activist, it's a happy kind of shock to see Charlie with a leg in his mouth. it's a beautiful thing to see an animal happily living out their life as naturally as Charlie is, with the addition of a human ally to keep him safe from other humans.
before reading the notes, i was hoping he had found it himself, and had moved from mice to scavanged legs in just a few days. he really is growing and blossoming so nicely into a big saucy coyote :)
My dog is drooling with envy! Happy day for Charlie!
this photo is a good reality check,
to remind us of Charlie's 'wild' side. (especially after yesterdays pic, ;))
I'm a long time veggie, too...but have never been shocked by seeing carnivores in the wild. it's the nature of the beast, as it were.
my problem has always been with the U.S. meat industry, it's practices & operations. blahblahblah...I know...I know.
that being said...are we sure Charlie didn't scavenge that bone from the local Bronto Burger!?
Howlooo Shreve and Charlie fans, This is my first time to comment and I have a big one coming. I want to make sure this goes through before I send the other.
Your website thrills me beyond belief. It quite literally brings tears to my eyes every time I check in. Thanks so much for sharing Charlie with us.
to some degree it's the same here in rural kansas as in new mexico and other states except there's no real market for the hides or anything. (state pays no longer pays a bounty)
locally i've never heard of a single incedent of any coyote attacking & killing any livestock (they will eat anything that dies) yet every idiot i know with a gun will shoot them just for fun because of the "viscious livestock killer" myth. i'm sure it probably happens sometimes...especially with sheep & goats, but in cattle country that myth just doesnt play out on any kind of normal basis that i'm aware of. the coyotes' biggest problem is in becoming victims of their own success...at being able to live & survive in increasingly urban areas. typical story : joe schmoe and family decide to leave the city and move to the 'burbs or the boondocks and then are shocked to find the family cat gets eaten when you leave it out at night...perpetuating the 'viscious killer coyote' thing all over again. heck, they gotta eat something when you clear-cut and pave their habitat. i'm personally a charter member of the 'every idiot with a gun' club...but until the local coyotes start wantonly killing our newborn calves and stalking my children, i'll never take a shot at any of them. what cracks me up even worse is all the people who stop in here all the time wanting to know if they can hunt coyotes on our place, they sure look at me funny when i ask them "how does it taste?" point being that if you aint gonna eat it...dont shoot it (that rule does not apply to rabid skunks & possums)
No disrespect, but when did this become a message board? I come here to read about Shreve, Eli and Charlie and thier world.
I've always loved coyotes for their beauty and intelligence. One of my first memories of life in Arizona was riding my mare out in the desert and having a beautiful and healthy yearling coyote join us for a while before he went off on other business. Love the Charlie chronicles!
Jim in Kansas,I've lived in New England and now in Arizona, and I breed horses--and I've never had a problem with coyotes, ever, even with the newborn foals. The problems have invariably been with packs of domestic dogs, let out on weekends by owners who think leash laws are simply, you know, guidelines. Nothing quite stops the heart like finding your valuable and much loved young stallion at bay in his own turnout, attacked by the neighbor's dogs. They were too young and/or stupid to know about going for the hamstrings, but one of them had ripped his leg up pretty impressively (the bill was over $300) by the time I got there. He survived with some scarring. The dogs were put down by Animal Control.
Contrast that with the packs of coyotes that hunt through here. They run softly and quietly, they sometimes greet me with a glance, they may thin the rabbit and quail population on the way by, but they don't touch the larger livestock. They leave that to Rover and Fido and his dear, sweet friends who would never, ever eat anything but the kibble Mummy feeds them, oh no.
Yes, I have dogs. They have a fenced yard with plenty of space to run. They are never let out to run free. I'd trust the coyotes 'way more than the dogs to leave the local livestock alone.
*balloon over Charlie's head*
Gone to be a Coyote, BRB...
Howloooo Shreve and Charlie fans,
I have left this up to Shreve to approve before I submitted this. As all of you do, I think Shreves' site is wonderful. I think Shreve is wonderful. I know Charlie is wonderful because I live with a coyote too, Yippee.
My husband and I have lived with Yippee for 12 years. She has her own story and I will probably post it because I think it will complement Charlies' story. They have much different lifestyles but they are both thoroughly loved. I don't have near the talent that Shreve has for writing and photography. I don't intend to compete with her. She does need to write a book. There should be PBS specials about her. I just hope to help her and others understand the responsibility and expectations of living with a coyote.
I can give advice for what has worked for me. However, I DO NOT ADVOCATE THAT PEOPLE GO OUT AND FIND A COYOTE FOR A PET. They are a wild animal. Each personality can be different from other coyotes. They live in a pack and they fight for dominance throughout their lifetime and they will try to dominate you, testing you all the time. You are their pack. They will also protect their territory and family fiercely. They should never be loose around small children or other pets. Strangers should never approach them. A coyote will retreat rather than fight but they are sneaky and can sneak up behind a stranger and grab them from behind(usually not doing more than a nip at your pants or a good pinch to your leg). If you face them and they are not cornered, they will retreat but if they don't, much like encountering a cougar, never turn and run, make yourself look as big as you can, pick up a stick to threaten them with and make lots of noise. Never, ever, hit them. Wait until they turn and leave before you leave. I actually have not heard of a wild coyote standing their ground with humans unless trapped or hurt. If they are cornered, back away. Coyotes will fight for their lives and are easily scared. They feel threatened from things no one can understand, probably from the human persecution they have developed instinct for.
Coyotes cannot be bullied. They willingly do what they want to do. They have to be understood. That understanding come from people with great experience of handling wild animals and a lifetime of studying them. Just owning and caring for domestic animals does not give a person enough experience to handle a coyote or other wild animal. Dog experts do not qualify. Coyotes are not like domestic dogs. Understanding and real experience is the biggest tool you can have. I have the background for it. Shreve has qualified direct help from knowledgeable people.
My husband and I love Yippee. She loves us too because we show her respect. She is our "Coyote Princess" and lights up our lives. I love to watch Shreves' adventure with Charlie. It brings back happy memories of Yippees' childhood. She is still a little "Trickster" at 12 and is very healthy. We hope she lives forever, as we hope Charlie does, and that he and Shreve share their lives together forever. Some people are just lucky and things fall into place. We'll share our luck with you. Neither of us went out in search for a coyote. The coyote spirit came to us.
It's not that shocking... I have to admit I thought it was a log before I read your posting! Even after that, I was like "Huh. There's the hoof. Cool."
Shock averted.
Have you taken Charlie to the vet to get immunization shots, is that something coyotes need also? Forgive me if its a stupid question but I live in
LA so my exposure to animal wild life is limited, but our dog gets his shots once a year.
Charlie is gorgeous and your blog is my favorite.
Robyn
Shreve,
What is your job, if you don't mind my asking? You must work from home, right? Your life seems so suited to you: out in the rurals of Wyoming, just you, Eli, and Charlie. I have to admit to some jealousy!
Like many other fans of your blog, I would love for you to come out with a book. Your writing and photography are simply marvelous. If you need a proofreader, let me know!
In response to anonymous who said, "No disrespect, but when did this become a message board? I come here to read about Shreve, Eli and Charlie and thier world."
One definition of a blog - An online diary where people can post messages and others may view and respond to the posts.
I have a suggestion: Don't read the comments. Just read what Shreve's posts on the home page.
I agree with Ananymous: When did this become a place for everyone else to write their stories? They are interesting, and in the case of petitions to stop poisoning, etc., they are necessary----but not here.
I just love Shreve's photos and accounts of Charlie and Eli.
What a handsome lad. My lab, LuLu gets that look when she catches an unlucky gopher or finds a windfall avocado. We count ourselves fortunate to live amongst these noble,but persecuted creatures.
It's so wonderful to see at least one coyote who has an interesting, fun and safe life. You two were lucky to find each other. I really enjoy the blog. Keep up the great work!
Seeing Charlie with an animal part is not shocking at all. He is indeed part of nature.
Seeing people hunting is gross though! Seeing people hunting coyotes is disheartening. Where I lived they have a contest to see who can kill the biggest one (photos in the newspaper of dead coyotes and all.) AFter seeing this blog I'm seriously revolted by coyote hunters.
i did leave a comment earlier, well at least i thought i did, but i dont think it saved, anyway it was just to say: i really had started to think of late that there werent any nice people left in this world but you've proved me very wrong and so has this blog, which is full (mostly full) of lovely comments from kind hearted people like yourself all supporting you. what an inspiration you are and what a lucky little boy he is. your blog is wonderful, Old Man Lincoln put out the word about it and reeled us all in, its a lovely story and i hope charlie and eli live long and happy lives. just ignore the horrid comments made by the unsupportive let them go over your head, and remember all the support you have from the nice people on here. you deserve lots of luck for what you've done for that little boy, good on you girl. take care of you.
A friend of mine bow hunts whitetail...I always get the legs for my wolfdog. He loves them too...heaven.
Beautiful pictures.
~tekmet.blogspot.com
Hello to Charlie.
How is Mr. Eli doing these days, is he just being camera shy? Thank you for the wonderful photos you take and I enjoy your writings as well. God Bless you and your furry family.
That more beautiful, - with completed subject of nature, - that I met almost in the two years surfing in internet, he is this blog.
Litteraly I remained without speech, and you I congratulate lady, for your love in this creature, your patience, him you make domestic, him you educate, and his generally daily care.
The photographs, as well as your comments splendidly.
The god you it blesses, you it gives health, happiness and luck.
I can't stop being amazed at what a beautiful animal Charlie is. I'm sure no coyote has been shown off as well as Charlie.
I know that coyotes are intelligent and adaptable, and Charlie's letting us see what (very high) degree that intelligence and adaptability is. The contrast between him zoned out on the bed and now alert and carrying a leg doesn't really feel like a contrast. It's Charlie. He can do anything. :-)
How 'bout letting Shreve decide which comments are or aren't appropriate? Given that it's her blog and all...
The grand prize for being a coyote. Such a happy coyote! I agree with strangedays, he does look liek he's strutting. I love the ears!
I would like to echo what Tuppence said about thinking that there weren’t any nice people left in the world and how this blog has proved both of us wrong. My cynical and often sarcastic side has been smoothed down a bit by Shreve, Eli, Charlie and the folks who have posted comments (well, most of them!) on this blog.
Shreve, thank you for the kindness you have shown by not only saving a living creature, but also for continuing to post beautiful pictures and your wonderful comments and updating us daily on the Wyoming Three. To those of you who comment regularly and who helped to stop the negative and sometimes mean-spirited comments, thank you.
This is probably way over simplifying things, but if a coyote can kiss a cow and live in a cabin with a woman and a cat, then maybe there is hope for “this fragile earth our island home.” *
* 1982 Book of Common Prayer
i'm in ur field, eatin ur legz
this is my favorite photo yet - he is so beautiful. hearing the coyotes at night when i was a kid used to really scare me... i'm so glad i get to see a different side of them now.
Tasty...
Too funny, Becky! Nice post, Anonymous!
I can't believe I'm going to say this but... guess our Charlie's a leg man... (I know, boo-hiss...)
Jenny blushing in Colorado
I, for one, really enjoy reading the (positive) comments the rest of you guys leave here. I like hearing stories about your dogs, cats, and coyote encounters. Isn't this what the comments section is for?
How else would I have known that dog paws smell like corn chips? :-)
Many years ago on a road trip, a little house dog we had leapt back into the truck with a deer leg in his mouth...couldnt let him have it in the cab of course, and it WAS kinda gross, but nice to see his nature kick in.
Very recently our young dog Jack caught his first bunny, much like Charlie recently got his first mouse. It was good to see Jack did what was natural for him, and tho he wasnt sure what to do with it after hed killed it, he was quite proud of himself and has suddenly matured into quite 'The Man'...I tossed the body where only the racoons and coyotes or eagles could get it so it wouldnt be wasted, and it disappeared within the hour
Now Jack has a whole new bearing. Still sweet and lovable but with a certain confidence and pride that makes us smile.
He looks very natural with that leg in his mouth. And just as natural stretched out over your (or should I say his) bed. He is a well rounded guy.
There is a very happy, proud Coyote. He is in his element! Beautiful...
And now for some anthropomorphization: he looks just like a 10-year-old boy who has just received his very first brand-new leather baseball glove and is outside proudly showing it off to everyone in sight.
Um why is it that practically every day a picture comes up to which I say, "Oh THAT'S my favorite one so far!" and then the next day, it happens again, and the next, again. :-)
I'm glad you told us what that was, because I would've spent a lot longer trying to figre it out! Somehow I think this seems just fine, but the cowpie still grosses me out. Whatever.
He really does look so proud. How much of it did he eat before he buried it somewhere?
Shreve, you're a good mom to understand who Charlie really is and help him on his natural way. There are some human analogues there. It's called Unconditional Love and Selflessness.
Good job.
yum.
ditto what t-rex said!!! i laughed out loud when i saw someone comment on dog paws smelling like corn chips. i have long loved smelling my pup's little paws and often thought that. nice to know i'm not the only nut who smells my dogs paws and enjoys the scent!
This is the BE:ST treat you can give any canine. It will keep Charlie's teeth spotless, guaranteed!
Clearly Charlie is thriving and happy, Shreve must be so proud!!!
LMAO Becky! When I first saw the picture I thought to myself "i finded u a bonz bt i eated it."
Busy busy busy boy. The sheer joy of life in his eyes makes me smile.
coyotekisser I loved your post. I am a sucker for all animals but tend to identify with cats. Still, your description of coyote-ness makes me think of me.
Charlie is so beautiful. I'm currently pregnant and overemotional (darn hormones) and the photo of him in the snow just made me cry - right before I made it my desktop background.
You are doing a wonderful job bringing him up despite coyotes being not the most popular animal around where you live, and I commend you in what you're doing.
My husband fully understands having brought up a dingo when he was younger (we live in Australia). Unfortunately as the pup got older he was taken away as it was apparently 'illegal' to keep one. I think nowadays dingos are more accepted and there are several breeding programs over here. I hope that coyotes can also be more accepted soon :o).
Sorry for the long ramble....
really enjoy your website. glad to see you have an open mind regarding hunting and the role man as a predator has.I know coyotes are wonderful creatures, but so are deer and when to many coyotes exist their are no rabbits or deer left. maintaining balance is the key and hunting of coyotes plays a part in that balance.
I've posted an entry on my blog about yours, it's at http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-6rHM4Q4if6ND2EMZDZADO9FvI0zPUXo-?cq=1&p=1348
Thanks for sharing Charlie. I remember one morning an old lab of mine came up in the yard with the better part of a deer's hind leg. I was sure that it was human. Scared me to death.
Good for you Shreve! Keeping Charlie's instincts and teeth nice and shiny!
Thanks for the wonderful snowsmile pic. I set it as my desktop. When I get up in the morning Charlie is smiling at me and I smile right back. You are each such a blessing to the world. Do you realize how much joy you and Charlie and Eli are bringing each day? Such good karma you are racking up girl!
BTW? Where IS Eli lately? Pics please? I love seeing them together. It's the only way I can tell how big Charlie is getting.
Love, Jaxon
Shreve, once Charlie had the bone would he let you take it away? Or did you respect his ownership and not try? I want my dog to give me anything she has at any time but if I were living with a coyote who might one day want to be wild I think I would feel very differently. Still, there is always the time when you want to be able to take something away that is dangerous for an animal. Wondering, too, if you have had dogs and if living with Charlie is influenced by your experience with dogs. I know you can't answer all these questions but maybe the answers will make their way into your book. BTW, may I add my name to the list of people offering to be proof readers? I have done a LOT of editing and am VERY good at it.
Well, canines behave the same way in the wild as they do in the city. The picture reminded me of the time my dog Otto found a deer leg in Rock Creek National Park in DC, but (gross!) it still had the fur on it. But you were lucky to have your camera, and did not get surprised by Charlie!
To the webmaster: What'n the hell's going on here?? I wrote a nice comment a couple days ago under the name "Weezer." What's posted under this name has no revelence whatsoever to my words.
I really loved Coyotkisser's informative comments. Puts things in the right perspective about coyotes.
The love is unconditional for Charlie. :)
There are many humans I have difficulty accepting. Animals, I have no trouble with, ever.
Its good to see Charlie finally getting a leg up in this world...
hello, thank you 'anon' for your kind words.
as i only discovered this lovely story yesterday, i then went to read up on coyotes, wow, theyre very intelligent and contrary to what some people (not the lovely comments on here) will have you believe, coyotes are not aggressive towards humans, theyre loving and faithful and deserve far more respect. i'm a life long veggie but of course respect that hunting is a matter of survival for other animals. humans are the only animal to hunt for fun, when are we going to stop destroying this planet and have more respect. humans think they have a right to control anything they deem as a pest, the only pests are the humans ruining this place.
shreve, charlie and eli have proved that everything can live in peace with each other given the chance.
i'm not sure how these blogs work, as i'm new to it all (and dont want to ruffle any feathers by side-tracking from charlie's blog) but i wonder if we can possibly say a big thank you to Old Man Lincoln for notifying a lot of us on the daily photo blogs to Charlie's blog?
No comments. Just to say that I promised to be back and that I'm back... with pleasure!
i think he looks incredible. what else do you guys hunt?
Someone mentioned using a photo on their desktop and I was wondering if you felt this was OK, especially since you SELL your photos. Some photographers consider this stealing. I've wanted to save a picture or two and decided not to because I didn't know if it was OK...
Saving pics to your desktop or using them as your screensaver is fine with me. It's so easy to do, and if the photos of Charlie inspire a particular emotion or just plain make your day better, then I consider it an honor. If I found someone using my images to sell a product without my consent or release, that would be a different story, but personal noncommercial desktop screensaver use is no problem. S.S.
Wow! Charlie is amazing, absolutely gorgeous, and you're doing a great job with him Shreve... He must've been sooooo psyched to get ahold of that elk leg! I had a cat once that I gave a lobster body to. He ran outside with it, dragged it under my car and didn't come out 'til he was done for fear of it being taken away... I'm in southeastern NH and while there "are" coyotes here, they're hardly a problem... I live with a Belgian Malinois puppy, which I believe is about the closest the domesticated dog world can come to a wild coyote or wolf-like creature. Jazz has got a lot of red in her fur and is often mistaken for a fox...
My German shepherds are soooo jealous.
Do coyotes' coats change color in the winter? He looks an entirely different color in the "click on" running-in-the snow winter shot!
Balloon caption above Charlie's head reads, "Look at my new walking stick and it comes with it's own hoof!"
I've been a fan for a few months, sent over by Dooce.com. This shot has got to be one of my favorites. I think Charlie is so very blessed to have an adopted momma that allows him to be who he is. Most canine owners would totally freak at the thought of giving their babies a leg of elk. LOL The way you, Eli, and Charlie coexist peacefully with one another truly warms my heart, and I am so glad that you share the experience with all of us. Your photography is spectacular as well. Take care!
In my best Homer Simpson voice, "Mmmmmm...Elk."
My Goodness! He looks so proud! I love coming to read about Charlie. Thank you for writing about him and sharing his coyote adventures. It truly is amazing and you seem like the perfect person to be a witness to it all.
i'm so jealous! i LOVE elk!
sigh... i mostly lurk on this site but i just have to comment and say... i'm so totally jealous of your life :-) you are living a dream i would love to have but just like you didn't make it happen, he needed your help, i can't just go out and "adopt" a yote! your pictures and journal entries are marvelous, fun and amazing. thanks for sharing your world with us!
I love that you enable Charlie to do what coyotes do. He does look proud of his bone! I am in awe of you and what you have done for Charlie. Thanks again so much for sharing your beautiful stories and incredible photography
Simply, Thank You.
Charlie must have felt like a proud successful hunter after a long journey of stalking a prey.
Beautiful animal!
I don't mind people posting comments about their experience with animals. It's pretty easy to just not click on the comments :)
Always enjoy your blog!
The perfect fall snack for a pup!
Now that is one happy coyote. He almost looks like he's trying to find a place to bury it.
What did the cat make of this episode? Cats will share, albeit unwillingly, if their kill is larger than they can monopolize and eat at the same time. What do coyotes do?
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