(April 2008 coyote sighting across the street from WSB HQ in Upper Fauntleroy)
For months, we have catalogued “reader reports” of coyote sightings (archives here) only because they were so numerous – and so many people were unsure whether to be frightened, fascinated, both, or something inbetween. The questions are always many, the answers aren’t always easy to find in one place. And of course, coyotes aren’t the only wild animals who share our neighborhoods:

(August 2008 photo shared by Jenny, taken near Lincoln Park)
Raccoons also tend to inspire endless discussions – are they a nuisance, a blessing, what do you do if they’re fouling your yard, what do you do if they’re in your attic … Anyway, to the point: We wanted to remind you today that this Tuesday night, you have a great chance to get your questions answered, myths debunked, etc., when experts from various government agencies and nonprofit advocacy groups host a Living With Wildlife presentation in the Camp Long Lodge. Over the past year, they’ve been held from time to time in various spots around the city — we covered one in Magnolia in February (see our report here) because it happened at a time when wildlife questions were running rampant here – but this is the first one this year in West Seattle. Absolutely free, definitely worth your time. 7 pm, Camp Long Lodge (turn at the sign on 35th – here’s a map; the wonderful old lodge is the first building you see, and there’s lots of parking off to the right).