The Hunter in the Metro: Stalking a Winter Coyote

One of the most incredible things about the Denver metro area is that you don’t have to travel deep into the wilderness to find true wildlife moments. They are happening almost right in our backyards.

Early one morning, fresh after a winter snowstorm, I spotted this coyote off in the distance, actively hunting for mice in the frozen weeds. The air was dead silent, and the moment I saw him, the game was on.

Going Handheld for Maximum Agility

When you need to move quickly and adapt to an animal’s unpredictable behavior, a tripod can sometimes hold you back. For this shot, I relied on my 200–600mm lens and made a deliberate choice:

• Bumped the Shutter Speed: I pushed my shutter speed up specifically so I could shoot entirely handheld without risking camera shake.

• Ditched the Tripod: Going handheld allowed me to stay incredibly mobile, dropping low or shifting angles instantly to match the coyote’s movements.

My #1 Wildlife Photography Tip: Get to Eye Level

If there is one piece of advice I can give to anyone starting out in wildlife photography, it’s this: Try to get down to eye level with the animal, no matter what they are doing. Alternatively, shoot slightly upward toward them.

Why it works: Shooting from a low perspective gives the animal a grand, powerful presence in the frame. If you shoot looking down at them from a standing position, it makes them feel small and disconnected from their environment. Getting low pulls the viewer directly into their world.

The Art of Patience (and Controlled Breathing)

As I watched through the viewfinder, I realized the coyote was making his way directly toward me. That is the exact moment your heart starts beating a million miles an hour.

When a predator is locking in on your position, you have to master your own adrenaline:

1. Steady Your Breathing: Heavy breathing or sudden movements will instantly alert them.

2. Freeze and Fade: Once they notice a threat or a distraction, they will alter their course and the moment is gone.

3. Know Your Gear In and Out: Because I’ve spent so much time building muscle memory with my camera’s dials and buttons, I didn’t have to pull my face away from the viewfinder once. As he kept coming closer and closer, I was making camera adjustments on the fly, keeping my eyes locked on his posture.

I got down low, got completely quiet, and just waited. Being patient and letting the animal come to me paid off beautifully.

Nature on the Edge of the City

Moments like this are a powerful reminder that nature doesn’t stop where the asphalt begins. When we slow down, stay quiet, and really learn to look, the local open spaces and state parks right outside our doors can offer wildlife encounters just as raw and spectacular as any remote wilderness. It just takes a little patience, a lot of respect for the animal’s space, and the willingness to get down in the snow to see the world from their point of view.