The dry creek bed was not very productive as the three coyote brothers poked into every cranny and hole seeking something warm to eat. Most of their prey had already dug in for the oncoming winter. Not to do so meant certain death from the grip of snow and ice. Nature was unforgiving when her creatures didn't follow her rules for survival. The creatures that didn't hibernate did the predator and prey dance in earnest until spring brought some relief. The primary prey were the various rabbits and hares. Right now the brothers weren't being picky. If it was alive and slower than them it was soon to be a meal.
The lead brother caught the scent of a rabbit in a clump of sagebrush along side the dry creek bank. The rabbit bolted when he got close and the pursuit began. This was a blacktailed jackrabbit and the first that the brother had encountered. He was sure his belly would soon be full but the jack was fast and could bound high out of the way of his teeth. Even with his brothers helping he could not corner that jackrabbit. With his heart pounding and his tongue hanging out he gave up the chase. When his brothers also gave up and came back he flopped down on the snow for a rest.
Snow began falling chilling the three brothers. Cold and hungry they were getting desperate. They had never gone so long without a meal. Their spirits rose when they heard the familiar cry of an injured rabbit. They knew that meant an easy meal if the other predator was feathered or smaller than them. The lead brother headed for the sound of the rabbit back up the dry wash they had entered earlier that morning. The chance at a meal made him hurry. He didn't want to have to compete with another predator. He and his brothers weren't mature enough to fight of older coyotes or worse yet a cougar.
Rounding a bend in the creek bed he heard the rabbit cry change to a low wimper signaling death was near. He stopped and listened carefully to pinpoint the rabbit. His hearing was very good and he could tell the rabbit was somewhere near the lighting struck Juniper on the edge of the creek bed not far ahead. Finally he made out the long ears of the rabbit at the base of the Juniper. A quick growl got his brothers attention and they raced over to the rabbit. His smaller brother beat him to the rabbit by inches but then turned bright red as the thunder clapped. Confused he turned to run but his other brother didn't. He too turned to red and more thunder echoed off the canyon walls. He didn't understand what was happening but he knew that escape was needed. He made it past the bend in the creek bed and ran for a long time despite his pounding chest and tiring legs. He sought refuge under a large sagebrush and collapsed. He waited for his brothers but they never arrived. A new feeling crept into his conciousness when he fully realized that he was alone for the first time in his short life.
The old elk hunter retrieved his decoy rabbit and verified that he had scored twice as the superior predator. He also knew he had educated a third coyote who would be a lot more wary next time.
-------------------- "Being deeply learned and skilled, being well trained and using well spoken words; this is good luck."
Previous
Index
Next
Flat
Re: 1. First Snow
Edit
Reply
Quote
