Coyote (Canis latrans)

Shadow of the Titans

Dwarfed by the ancient giants of Mariposa Grove, a lone coyote pauses in a patch of morning light, its keen senses attuned to the quiet rustle of the Yosemite National Park backcountry.

David S. McMeans · Nikon D850 · Nikon Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR

Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park, California, United States

Image

Shadow of the Titans

Dwarfed by the ancient giants of Mariposa Grove, a lone coyote pauses in a patch of morning light, its keen senses attuned to the quiet rustle of the Yosemite National Park backcountry. Standing alert between the deeply grooved, moss-clad roots of a massive conifer and the sun-dappled flank of a towering giant sequoia, the animal's thick tawny coat is luminous against the cool, dark recesses of the primeval forest. As a consummate survivor, this adaptable predator seamlessly navigates the complex floor of the old-growth grove, hunting among the ferns and fallen timber. The ethereal atmosphere, thick with morning mist and pierced by dramatic shards of breaking sunlight, frames a striking intersection of Sierra Nevada wildlife and its monumental habitat, capturing the raw, enduring mystery of California's high country.

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