BIG Owl on my Trail

[TheWaterbug]

Courting Coyotes on Thoroughbred Trail? 02/01/26



That little tail flip from the lead coyote at the beginning--is that courting behavior? Looks like it to me, but I'm no expert.

If it is courting, behavior, then this is the first confirmation in a year's time that we have a potential mateable pair, after the death of an adult coyote back in late February, 2025. We had a litter of pups later in 2025, but the mating to produce that litter probably happened earlier than late February.

 

[johnfitz]

cutie pies

 

[TheWaterbug]

2025 Ioniq 5 XRT Delivering Manure Down Thoroughbred Trail



Every year I deliver a couple of SUV loads of bagged manure to my garden, which is 1/4 mile down an equestrian trail. It has some steep spots, some tilted spots, some ruts from the rain, and some rocks. It was dry today, but sometimes it's quite muddy, too.

This is my first year driving my spiffy new 2025 Ioniq 5 XRT, with AWD, all-season tires, a slightly lifted suspension, and "terrain modes" for snow/sand/mud vs. the normal Ioniq 5 trims. Today's load was 36 bags of 1 cu. ft each, or roughly 1,000 lbs, plus a 250 lb. driver.

I definitely felt more comfortable in the XRT than I did in my 2011 Lexus RX450h. The AWD and traction control in the old RX was pretty useless, and I often felt like I had to "rock" the car out of ruts and/or get a running start to get out of my garden. Not confidence inspiring in a place where it would very difficult to get a tow truck!

The XRT handled it with plenty of power, traction, and aplomb. Not as good as a true 4 x 4 pickup, but I didn't buy it for that. I bought it for snowy trips to Mammoth/Tahoe and for schlepping manure into my garden, and it seems like a good choice for those duties.

I attempted to spin the tires a bit, as you can see, but failed. I think I tried Sand and Mud modes. I should have tried Snow mode. I'll be back in May with manure for the corn patch.

 

[TheWaterbug]

Bunny Goes BOING



Not sure if this is cavorting, playing, or just reacting to nothing.

 

[Parley]

Courting Coyotes on Thoroughbred Trail? 02/01/26



That little tail flip from the lead coyote at the beginning--is that courting behavior? Looks like it to me, but I'm no expert.

If it is courting, behavior, then this is the first confirmation in a year's time that we have a potential mateable pair, after the death of an adult coyote back in late February, 2025. We had a litter of pups later in 2025, but the mating to produce that litter probably happened earlier than late February.

It is mating season for the Coyotes. Pups will be born late this spring.

 

[TheWaterbug]

Rabbits and Coyotes in the Upper Garden 02/10/26



I took some license in the editing, and the coyote shows up 2 hours after the rabbits. But they're there all night long, and alternating appearances on the cameras, so it wouldn't surprise me if I catch a Nat Geo clip sometime soon.