West Seattle wildlife watch: “Unexpected” coyote

| Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

From Stephanie, southeast of The Junction:

So I was taking my dog out to do her business about midnight tonight and was waiting for a while. Then looked across the street and saw something moving in the dark. Looked a little closer and saw that it was a Coyote walking up the sidewalk. Knowing that my 4 lb. Yorkie was no match I quietly whispered for her let’s go. As I hurried up the stairs it took off. I was relieved it was not aggressive. Seemed to be spooked by us. I am located at 41st and Dawson. (map) I had seen the pictures on the blog before and it looked identical. Went back inside to get my camera and waited for a while but he was gone.

Just thought I would share it since I did not think anyone saw them in my neighborhood. But it seemed more scared of me then I was of it. I don’t think he was out to harm anyone. Clearly not hostile.

This post was officially the tipping point … we just went back and created a category for all posts about coyotes (which required adding the label to each previous one) … maybe someday we’ll finally get to that West Seattle coyote map! Find the coyote archive here.

JimmyG August 16, 2008 (9:12 am)

Ummm, if Stephanie is at Dawson and 41 Ave SW then she is SOUTHeast of the junction, not northeast of it.

WSB August 16, 2008 (9:21 am)

Thank you, fixing; I have confused Dawson (south of Junction) and Dakota (north of Junction) lately because of keeping an eye on those pedestrian flags, which are at Dawson/California and Dakota/California, both six letters, start with D … no excuse, just a window into our weirdness.

JimmyG August 16, 2008 (9:26 am)

Cheers! I suppose she is northeast of Morgan Junction, so depending on what your geographical center is…

Nancy Folsom August 16, 2008 (9:29 am)

FWIW, I lived in a town with a 33 acre open space frequented by both dogs, on and off leash, and coyotes. Never, in 22 years, did a coyote attack a dog who was with a person. (Dogs attacking other dogs, however, was another story.)

I’m not saying Stephanie was unnecessarily worried…coyotes are wild animals, after all. And they ARE quite eerie in demeanor, aren’t they? And as with any animal, I don’t want to be between mum and pups.

WSB August 16, 2008 (10:11 am)

T, good point, although since it’s the corner by Rite-Aid and The Junction is within view but MJ isn’t, I think of it as the former. Now THERE’s a fun discussion to have … how people give directions to certain parts of WS …

Manuel W. August 16, 2008 (2:57 pm)

NW Coyote Tracker
http://nwcoyotetracker.googlepages.com/

WSB August 16, 2008 (3:06 pm)

Doesn’t appear anyone has updated that site in a year. I clicked each of the handful of West Seattle sightings and they’re all from 2007.

Gigi August 16, 2008 (4:47 pm)

The coyotes were howling in my neighborhood last night around 2am. It’s an eerie sound – almost like kids shrieking. I live near 40th and Barton, and I think they reside in Fauntleroy Park. A few minutes after they started, a police car went flying by with the siren going. That noise ended their chorus.
A cat was consumed by a coyote in our neighborhood a couple of weeks ago, so do try to keep cats and small dogs close to your home.

GenHillOne August 16, 2008 (7:50 pm)

Well, we’ll represent the north (west) end… a neighbor shot a photo of a coyote outside of the Lutheran church on Dakota between California & 44th on Wednesday a.m., travelled north up the alley between Calif & 44th. I know I shouldn’t be shocked at this point, but our closest green belt is Schmitz Park and there is plenty of traffic so I’m a little surprised. Neighbor said he/she didn’t flinch at his car horn.

AE August 18, 2008 (12:53 pm)

While walking my dog one morning last week a security guard on patrol if we were missing a dog. He just saw a coyote with 1/2 of a little black dog in it’s mouth heading down into the orchard revine. Please keep your pets inside!