Sauganash Coyote Watch

Around 4:00 in the afternoon yesterday as I was on my way to the grocery store I saw a coyote in the middle of downtown Edgebrook. Downtown Edgebrook runs along Devon Avenue for about three blocks and consists of a row of two-story buildings. They contain stores, restaurants, some storefront professional offices, a branch of the Chicago Public Library, and a Post Office. Traffic is brisk both on Devon and Central Avenues nearly 24 hours a day.

The coyote didn’t appear frightened but did give the general impression of a motorist who’d taken the wrong exit off the expressway into an unfamiliar and dicey part of town. The motorists didn’t react at all. Either they were accustomed to seeing coyotes in the middle of the day or, more likely, thought it was a dog.

I’m guessing that the coyote had strayed from the forest preserve a block or so south.

7 comments… add one
  • jan Link

    A year ago a mountain lion wondered into a posh S. CA shopping area. It was the first time such an animal had cruised out of the mountains around here. Police were caught off guard, fearful and without training of what to do, killed the lion.

    In our own neighborhood we’ve only had garden-variety posseums and raccoons coming around — mainly inticed, I suppose, by scents from our koi pond. There’s an old thatch of growth near the street, which has assumed the role of a convenient hostel for small wild animals seeking hidden safety. They then want to have brunch at the pond. Consequently, we’ve set a permanent-like cage a few feet away, and have trapped well over a hundred critters which we then drive to nearby canyons and release.

  • michael reynolds Link

    I think in order for this to work as a kid book you’re going to have to rescue the coyote after his paw is trapped, Dave. Then raise him as your own, but you’ll need the help of the spunky little girl who lives down the street and you’ve chased off your lawn a couple of times.

    The coyote will prove himself by dealing with the sudden plague of road runners. The coyote’s heroic efforts revitalizes the Acme factory where the little girl’s mother worked before she was laid off and took to drink.

    But of course in the end the coyote will have to be released to a wildlife refuge where little girl, mom and crotchety old dude with heart of gold (that would be you, Dave) can visit it while picnicking.

  • PD Shaw Link

    Paranormal teen lovestory with coyote lycanthrope

  • michael reynolds Link

    PD:

    With great abs and he’s sensitive and patient. I like.

  • I think it’s more likely that this particular coyote is becoming wealthy smuggling javelinas across the border into Cook County.

  • Michael, I’ve been informed that I was to tell you that in reaction to your comment, above, my wife “laughed, she cried, she wet her pants”.

  • michael reynolds Link

    My very favorite constellation of reader reaction.

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