Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
A bedraggled coyote comes down from the hills searching for food and water during the California drought.

This skinny coyote forced by the Southern California drought comes down from the hillsides to this residential trail searching for food and water. This coyote has abandoned the cover of night and did not seem worried by my presence. He was also alone. Usually in this Claremont California suburb coyotes only come out at night, travel in packs and avoid people. There is a note of desperation about this coyote engaging in such atypical behavior.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 02.2020
Date Uploaded: 11.2023
Photo Location: Claremont, California, United States of America
Copyright: © Russ Allison Loar