Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Look What We Saw on Our Hike!



A coyote! 
 The first one I've seen since moving here.
Not in our backyard, although I hear they are in our neighborhood sometimes.

At Griffith Park. 
A large mountainous city park that contains the Griffith Observatory on the top, lots of hiking trails and spectacular views of the city.


It's practically in the middle of Hollywood!  You get a very good view of
the famous Hollywood sign from the observatory.  You may notice the discoloration on the sign,which is currently undergoing renovations.



Since The Maven starts work on Friday (yay!!!) we decided to meet at the park for a picnic and to hike on one of their many trails.


It was a warm day, so our choice of the exposed uppermost trail maybe wasn't the best choice, but we enjoyed the views and the rustic landscape.





Because of the warm weather the view was hazy.  On clear days you can see all the way to the ocean.  We will be bringing Orlando Grandma back here at Thanksgiving to experience the park in the cooler weather.
The edge of the trail makes me nervous, that's as close as I could make myself go to it


And Mr. Connor, by the time you get here after Christmas, the air should be crystal clear!
Who else is going to come visit?!




Our encounter with Mr. Coyote was in the lower part of the park where we stopped on our way out to have a snack and cool off.


As we sat at the picnic tables he appeared over our heads and caused quite a bit of excitement amongst the picnickers there.  I only had my phone at that point and took some pictures with it thinking I would make do with those.

As we got in our cars to leave, he appeared again and I was able to take closer pictures with my camera.
He was on a fast trot so I only got two, the one at the top of this post and the one below as he heads off.


Close enough for me!


19 comments:

Olive said...

Exciting to see a coyote up close like that Ann. Joe says we have them here. Who knew?

Kit said...

Oh I love the photos of your hike. I remember that area when I visited Ca a couple of years ago. I bet you had fun. :) Kit

rottrover said...

Fantastic! And it looks like you got to see the ocean,too. A great place for a hike :-)

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

Very shy creatures.
Wonder why it was out so close in the day time? Probably looking for a drink.
Congrats to the Maven on her new job! looks like a nice time for a hike and lots of cool stuff to see!
Beautiful.
Pat

Mullin Avenue Workshop said...

How interesting to see a coyote within the city. They are very shy animals I believe.
Although I wouldn't want to give the coyote a bad name,I'm sure you are careful about the pets when they are outside. I'm thinking the coyote is a predator, it's just his instinct to be.
This looks like such a nice place to picnic and hike.
Brenda

Robin Larkspur said...

Great photos of your expedition. Coyotes are everywhere these days!
Thanks for an excellent comment on my blog today.

Unknown said...

Looking forwards to that hike. It looks so nice and it well cooler too.

RURAL said...

He's doing a little bit of drive by dining is he?

I had no idea you were so close to the Hollywood sign that's a pretty interesting thing to live near.

Jen

Debby@Just Breathe said...

I do not like them at all. Where we live now, being up on a hill with lots of empty area around we do get them. The coyote should not be out during the day. Glad you went to Griffith Park and I have to say everytime we go to my son's we pass the Hollywood sign. I never get tired of it. Dogs are never alone outside and leashed at night. Charlie, my granddog got bit last year. I hate them!!!!

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

It's amazing to see them like that...we have had them run right through our yard, so we really have to watch our dogs! Pretty scenery there!

Razmataz said...

There are sometime coyotes around in the daytime around here. A few years ago we had a big problem with them. People were losing their outdoor cats and the occasional small dog. One morning I heard a pack of them howling very close to where I was walking...scared me.

I ma sure Orlando granny will love to be in CA.

Mr. Connor said...

Be my luck and get bitten by one of the darn things. I plan on keeping my distance ! Great pictures and story. Echo Park next ?

Decor To Adore said...

Oh, oh (hand shaking wildly in the air...) pick the Decor family to come stay. :)

centerofgravity said...

i've never seen a coyote before I wonoder if we have them in Orlando. AFter all, we do have foxes, black bears, and bald eagles. and the occassional screech owl. :-) Great photos. I need to make reservations.

CG

Chatty Crone said...

Oh my goodness I have been to a lot of those magnificent places!!! And I have never seen a coyote - close or unclose! sandie

Dexter said...

Watch out for those coyotes as they can get quite bold. Momma says one time she was on walkies with Raja (who I am told was 190 pounds of mean) and there was a coyote who kept walking parallel to them about 20 ft. off in the woods. Scary stuff.

Kisses,
Dexter

Claudia said...

I've seen a couple in my day but you're right, they move very fast! We can hear them at night around here - yip-yip-yipping away. Don used to spend time in Griffith Park when he lived in LA.

xo
Claudia

Anonymous said...

I've never seen a coyote...in the woods at our last house, I happened upon a fox one day, though!
Fun to see all your photos. Best wishes to your daughter.
Wishing you a blessed Sunday.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

That looks like a beautiful place to hike! I'd like to come visit! (I've only been to CA once in my life!) And we saw a coyote in our back yard right here in FL...on the golf course, a few years ago! Everyone stopped what they were doing for that sight! You got some great photos!