Wild Things

So, yesterday we decided to check out a "new" mountain to hike...
South Mt Park..


The terrain was pretty rocky and the scenery not as dramatic as other hiking areas.
The view from one of the upper ridges was of city streets ( not the most scenic, huh?),
so the decision was made to find another trail and see if that ridge was better.

Hiking along and some movement caught my eye.....it was a coyote!!! He looked
very well-fed.....and, contrary to what I've heard, he didn't scamper away when he
saw people. He kind of eye-balled us, decided we didn't pose a threat, and sauntered
under an ocotillo bush for a bit of shade.
David wanted to keep hiking further along that trail. I didn't trust that the coyote
wouldn't be looking for lunch by the time we came back along that path.

Things go through your mind: What are you supposed to do if a wild animal approaches?
What exactly do they eat? Are they scared of humans? ( this "wiley coyote" didn't look
a bit scared). Can they be rabid and crazed? ( like in those awful movies).

Needless to say, we got a photo while backtracking....no need to get any
closer to nature...not the wild parts, anyway:)