Coyotes

I let the dogs out to do their business tonight.  I always keep an eye on them so they don't get into mischief.  I carry an insanely bright flashlight that can illuminate the entire property, and I carry my spare 6-iron in case I need to separate the dogs or break up the ice in the water buckets. 

As soon as I stepped out the door, the flashlight beam lit up a pair of eyes just outside the fence.  The dogs raced towards the fence barking madly, and something outside the fence started running.  I followed it with my flashlight and was able to make out that it was a coyote!  I could see more eyes in the woods.  In theory, the coyotes shouldn't be able to get through the fence, but I didn't want to take any chances.  A 6-iron wasn't going to cut it, so I left the dogs to guard the fenceline while I ran back inside to get the Judge, my .45LC/.410 revolver.  I loaded it up with shotshells, which I figured would be more effective against a swiftly moving target.

I ran back outside and over to where the dogs were pacing in front of the fence.  I could hear a coyote nearby, but I couldn't see it and I wasn't about to fire blindly into the woods, so all I could do was stand there listening to the dogs and coyotes trade insults.  Eventually the coyotes stopped replying and I heard a lot of distressed mooing coming from the neighbor's cows.

The sheep are apparently unfazed by the whole thing.  I hope the wild rabbits are OK, since they tend to live outside the fence. 

A few pics

This brand name always amuses me.




Upper level of the Crossroads Mall in Omaha.  To the south, behind the camera, lies the food court, or rather, what's left of it.  There are only two restaurants remaining out of 10 spaces.  The north wing of the upper level is totally abandoned.  As I was taking pictures, I kept seeing people come up the escalator, glance around, then head back down.  The lower level of the mall is still mostly occupied, but the class of stores seems to be fading; it's mostly outlet and discount stores rather than traditional mall fare.