It was still dark when the rain started. I lay awake in my sleeping bag, listening to the soft patter of rain drops on my tent. Somewhere in the forest an Elk bugled. Well, I guess it was about that time anyways, time to get up. Leaving camp, I had my camera out and ready. It was just starting to get light, but better to be prepared, you never know what you might see in the early morning hours.

Making my way through the scattered trees, I heard another Elk bugle in the timber, closer this time. Moving from tree to tree I carefully made my way in that direction. Movement! No, not an Elk, smaller. A Coyote! Slowly ducking down behind the gnarled pine in front of me, I stuck my lens through the lower branches. He still hadn’t noticed me, time to wait. He made his way through a small clearing in front of me, those big ears listening for breakfast. Stopping, he stared intently at the ground in front of him. Get ready… His pounce and my camera went off simultaneously. No luck on his part, one more picture for me!