Coyote Pretty: Photographer Gets a Close-Up View of the Central Park Canine
Posted on February 13, 2021 at 9:09 am by West Sider
Photo courtesy of Ben Shyman.
Ben Shyman was planning to photograph birds in Central Park on Friday morning when he came across something else entirely — the coyote that’s been living in the park.
Around 10:30 a.m., he spotted the coyote from about 50 yards away and pointed his telephoto lens toward it.
The coyote has been seen in recent days in the area around the Reservoir, in the high 80s and low 90s on the West side of the park, and near the Conservatory Water in the high 70s on the East side.
If you see it, leave it alone and keep your dogs away too!
For photographers, Shyman says he was using a Canon 5D Mark IV with a Canon 400mm f/4 DO Mark II IS USM lens with a 1.4x Extender. See more of his photos here.
Maybe ten years ago I walked into the park around 4:30 am to appreciate the snow, falling heavily. Saw a coyote and followed its tracks in reverse from Cherry Hill, over Bow Bridge, where a second track had diverged toward Bethesda Fountain, then the trail led up, up into the Ramble into deep soft snow that no longer showed any tracks at all, having been snowed over.
It was a thrilling experience. It also felt good having failed to find their home. Nature had worked in favour of us all.
Really beautiful picture!
Just went on your website Ben and your photographs are spectacular!
Amazing photo!!!
Beautiful animal with her tawny eyes… thanks for sharing.
Love your work Ben!
Wow stunning
Last summer, I tried several nights to see Comet NEOWISE from Riverside Park, then tried to view the celestial phenomenon from Central Park. One hot, humid + hazy night, I hiked to the Great Lawn, entered at 81st St. after sunset + walked east to find a good viewing spot. Alas, no luck– Too hazy, and the comet was too low on the western horizon. But it was a lovely sultry evening, so I decided to walk a bit (risky being a single female) and exit at 77th St. I enjoyed planetary views to the east and the fragrance of lilies in the Shakespeare Garden. But around 79th St, a coyote bounded out of the nearby thicket and ran across West Drive right in front of me! Startling yet beautiful– A taste of wilderness on the wild west side! Such a lovely memory and encounter.
I didn’t realize quite how great the NYC birding community was until I started following some of their twitter accounts. Honestly very cheering to see high-quality images of nature from our own backyard, so to speak, almost every day.