He came really close. I was cursing myself because I didn’t have my wildlife telephoto camera with me. If I did, I could have gotten amazingly detailed facial close up shots. Plus my camera was malfunctioning and wouldn’t focus on close up. Still I was able to get a couple decent shots because he came right up to us.
What an exciting moment, and unusual, as coyotes are usually frightened of people. Clearly he was quite curious! Great shots in spite of a malfunctioning camera! Wish I had been there!
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord Blog Magazine and commented:
Cindy Knoke with stunning images of Death Valley National Park.. the vastness, emptiness and then suddenly there is a coyote asking what you think your are doing in his backyard… fabulous.
WOW! It really looks other worldly. I have not been but your shots of it make it so tempting. The shots of the coyote are incredible. They look so sad and skinny. There is nothing left for them but hunger and thirst. Breaks my heart.
They are remarkable creatures and they have very hard lives but are incredibly adaptable. New research show they are far closer genetically to wolves than previously thought.
Reminds me of a bit of Arizona – vast areas of dryness… and the mountains seemingly springing out of the landscape to thwart straight lines. The story of the planet for those who can read the rocks.
Happy Holly Daze to you and yours. I’m heading to a warmer climate for a couple of days – I hope to keep writing the story, but might just switch to simple daily haiku while I’m out of town.
…if the sun would come out…
Rain when we landed, wind and the end of a tropical storm today. The upside – on a small beach I found several bits of coral!
Complicated, I have no idea, but google always does.
Query, “Where do blue rocks come from?
“The 12 Most Common Blue, Violet, and Purple Minerals, pegmatites composed primarily of large crystals, such as granite. Certain metamorphic rocks, such as marble. Oxidized zones of ore bodies, like copper. Low-silica (feldspathoid bearing) igneous rocks.”
I am betting on the oxidized copper.
I know and remember this national park well. Back in 1966 just a few weeks after getting married my husband (now my ex-husband) and I were driving an old Ford Galaxy car, moving to L A with all of our possessions and as he was scheduled and registered to begin seminary training at a college there. We were just 19 and newly weds and didn’t know that territory well. We had car trouble, were running out of drinking water and pulled up to an abandoned old building we thought might have some inhabitants there that could help us. But, there was no one there who could. Wayne tried in vain to get our overheated car to start up again but it failed. Not long after that a man (of color) drove up in a car and parked right beside us, got out and asked if we needed help. We said, “Yes.” and he got out, opened his trunk, took out some tools and went to work on our broken down car and in a few minutes had our car purring again. We thanked him, for his help and said goodbye and within in a few short minutes he had turned around and quickly was gone. We never saw him again and we did indeed make it out to L A with no more trouble and were out there for four years from 1966-1970 until his graduation from seminary (studying for the ministry). We believed and still do to this day that black man was an angel sent by God. This is the gospel truth, Cindy. I know angels are out there everywhere and always near to help us out in our time of distress and need.
Have a wonderful, blessed Christmas Cindy, take care on your travels.
So, in this recent trip to Death Valley, we encountered a young couple with a flat tire and no spare.
Your comment gives me goosebumps.
I have met some angels, two actually, this one was the first: I rolled my car in Montana with my kids when they were young. We had to crawl our way out of the upside down car and I was injured.
All of a sudden this long haul trucker appeared. He was super intent and asked, “Is there anyone else in the car?”
He clearly meant to go save them.
We said no, but he looked anyway. Then he came back, told us he had called 911, and proceeded to pick glass out of my head and comfort the children.
To this day, I wish I could tell him what it feels like to meet an angel,
As soon as the sirens approached, he went to his truck and left. To this day I so wish I could thank him.
I enjoy your blog posts very much. And then I also enjoy the community of comments afterwards. You must bring a special presence with you into the natural world that a coyote would approach to check you out! I love the expression of his eyes and ears in the first photo. What an extraordinary ecosystem!!!
Beautiful! The name suits the place. I would not like to get lost in this valley. It reminds of the verse in Psalms 23. “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me. Thy rod and staff comfort me.”
Since I was a very little child the 23rd Psalm was my nightly prayer, it’s comfort is overwhelming, “Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over.”
I love how the psalm described it, “Yeah though I walk through through the valley of the ‘shadow’ of death,’ I will fear no evil” meaning death is there, but is a shadow, for the walker, not affecting the walker yet, but the walker knows it will, eventually, and so, “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
It is just such utter spiritual beauty.
Thank you Beverly.
We have been close to Death Valley, but we haven’t made into the park. Next time!! Joshua Tree was awesome, so I know we will like Death Valley too. Amazing topography!
Yes, Joshua Tree is wonderful and so unique. Those who love the contours, colors and peacefulness of the desert are drawn to return. It sounds like you are such. I fully relate.
Death Valley is one of my favorite parks. A few years ago I did a road trip through Death Valley, Sequoia, Yosemite, San Francisco, the PCH, LA, Joshua Tree, Mojave, and Gold Butte. Sunrise at Zabriskie Point at Death Valley was possibly the most memorable moment on the entire trip. Along with a sunrise at Joshua Tree.
Awesome that you did this! I am not surprised it left an impression on you. Your trip was just so much experiential difference of nature’s incredible wonders.
It has a beauty of its own and you captured it!
Thank you very much.
Great photos! Of course I just love the coyote shot! How close were you able to get to him?
He came really close. I was cursing myself because I didn’t have my wildlife telephoto camera with me. If I did, I could have gotten amazingly detailed facial close up shots. Plus my camera was malfunctioning and wouldn’t focus on close up. Still I was able to get a couple decent shots because he came right up to us.
What an exciting moment, and unusual, as coyotes are usually frightened of people. Clearly he was quite curious! Great shots in spite of a malfunctioning camera! Wish I had been there!
He was not the least bit hostile or intimidating either. Curious was my best guess too.
I thought that you would enjoy this encounter with a sea wolf:
https://twitter.com/AAllen69/status/1207299269838954497?s=19
Wrong link. Sorry Cindy. I will find it another day.
Looking forward to it. Thank you!
Wishing you joy and beauty at Christmas and in the New Year, Cindy. 🙂 🙂
Merry Christmas Jo & Happiest and Healthiest New Year <3
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord Blog Magazine and commented:
Cindy Knoke with stunning images of Death Valley National Park.. the vastness, emptiness and then suddenly there is a coyote asking what you think your are doing in his backyard… fabulous.
Happiest Holidays to you Sally. Thank you for your thoughtfulness my friend. I look forward to sharing 2020 with you <3
And to you and your family Cindy…♥♥
<3 🎄
Death Valley is such a starkly beautiful place. Nice shot of the coyote too.
Yes, stark and savage beauty.
Stunning landscape but I especially love the curious coyote.
Thank you Dor & I do too! Happy Holidays my friend <3
WOW! It really looks other worldly. I have not been but your shots of it make it so tempting. The shots of the coyote are incredible. They look so sad and skinny. There is nothing left for them but hunger and thirst. Breaks my heart.
They are remarkable creatures and they have very hard lives but are incredibly adaptable. New research show they are far closer genetically to wolves than previously thought.
Cindy, thank you for these beautiful photographs.
Thank you more for appreciating them Charles & Happy Holidays!
Stunning shots as always! You made Death Valley come alive, my dear friend!
♥,､’`(((;ŏᴗŏ))),､’`’`,､♥
Grazie mille. Death Valley is a living desert ♥,､’`(((;ŏᴗŏ))),､’`’`,､♥
So picturesque. Wow
Thank you very much & cheers to you.
Welcome
<3
One can see why it gets its name Cindy..
Magnificent photos.. 🙂
Thank you and yes, it is a formidable landscape.
It looks like a landscape from a far away planet… Wow! Spectacular!
I always think this when I am in the desert and I am very happy you enjoyed. Thank you & cheers!
That coyote looks so healthy! What a nice treat for you Cindy! xox
He does and it truly was! Thanks for knowing.
Reminds me of a bit of Arizona – vast areas of dryness… and the mountains seemingly springing out of the landscape to thwart straight lines. The story of the planet for those who can read the rocks.
Happy Holly Daze to you and yours. I’m heading to a warmer climate for a couple of days – I hope to keep writing the story, but might just switch to simple daily haiku while I’m out of town.
Glad you are enjoying the Banking series. 😀
Happiest Holidays Jules! I so look forward to sharing another year with you my friend. Enjoy your days in the sun 🌟
…if the sun would come out…
Rain when we landed, wind and the end of a tropical storm today. The upside – on a small beach I found several bits of coral!
Nice. Rain in the tropics can feel like a warm shower from Heaven. Happy New Year Jules <3
Same to you and yours… A new Decade too!
<3 🍾
Oh the beautiful desert! Did that fox look a little under nourished? <3
I doubt he gets much opportunity for seconds in the desert, but he seemed healthy, if a tad lean. Happy Holidays to you my friend 🎄
<3
Gorgeous photos.
Alison xo
Thank you Alison & Happy Holidays 🎄
Wow ! ❤ Amazing photos. The landscape is so picturesque.
So happy you enjoyed & cheers to you!
Beautiful photos of this driest, hardy… place. Thank you for the tour, Cindy.
Merry Christmas to your and yours!
Merry Christmas to you and your family Amy 🎄
I love your coyote! He looked like Yoda with those ears. Merry Christmas my friend. 🎄
He does!!! He has expressive ears.
A rugged, exotic beauty. What is the aquamarine colored areas?
Complicated, I have no idea, but google always does.
Query, “Where do blue rocks come from?
“The 12 Most Common Blue, Violet, and Purple Minerals, pegmatites composed primarily of large crystals, such as granite. Certain metamorphic rocks, such as marble. Oxidized zones of ore bodies, like copper. Low-silica (feldspathoid bearing) igneous rocks.”
I am betting on the oxidized copper.
Thank you for the additional information, Cindy!
<3
I know and remember this national park well. Back in 1966 just a few weeks after getting married my husband (now my ex-husband) and I were driving an old Ford Galaxy car, moving to L A with all of our possessions and as he was scheduled and registered to begin seminary training at a college there. We were just 19 and newly weds and didn’t know that territory well. We had car trouble, were running out of drinking water and pulled up to an abandoned old building we thought might have some inhabitants there that could help us. But, there was no one there who could. Wayne tried in vain to get our overheated car to start up again but it failed. Not long after that a man (of color) drove up in a car and parked right beside us, got out and asked if we needed help. We said, “Yes.” and he got out, opened his trunk, took out some tools and went to work on our broken down car and in a few minutes had our car purring again. We thanked him, for his help and said goodbye and within in a few short minutes he had turned around and quickly was gone. We never saw him again and we did indeed make it out to L A with no more trouble and were out there for four years from 1966-1970 until his graduation from seminary (studying for the ministry). We believed and still do to this day that black man was an angel sent by God. This is the gospel truth, Cindy. I know angels are out there everywhere and always near to help us out in our time of distress and need.
Have a wonderful, blessed Christmas Cindy, take care on your travels.
So, in this recent trip to Death Valley, we encountered a young couple with a flat tire and no spare.
Your comment gives me goosebumps.
I have met some angels, two actually, this one was the first: I rolled my car in Montana with my kids when they were young. We had to crawl our way out of the upside down car and I was injured.
All of a sudden this long haul trucker appeared. He was super intent and asked, “Is there anyone else in the car?”
He clearly meant to go save them.
We said no, but he looked anyway. Then he came back, told us he had called 911, and proceeded to pick glass out of my head and comfort the children.
To this day, I wish I could tell him what it feels like to meet an angel,
As soon as the sirens approached, he went to his truck and left. To this day I so wish I could thank him.
Breathtaking photos. Is that a coyote?
Thank you very much Leesha and yes it is 🐺
Thankyou for visiting my blog and for your appreciation, am delighted and honoured! Lovely heartwarming site you have here, it’s so refreshing.
Love your blog & wonderful to meet you!
Wow! So Awesome, Cindy. Is that a wolf?
Thanks much! It is a coyote, but they are genetically similar to wolves.
I enjoy your blog posts very much. And then I also enjoy the community of comments afterwards. You must bring a special presence with you into the natural world that a coyote would approach to check you out! I love the expression of his eyes and ears in the first photo. What an extraordinary ecosystem!!!
I am honored by your truly thoughtful words Will. I so love blogging because it enables me to meet remarkable people like you. Happy Holidays!
Nice
Thank you.
Stunning photos, Cindy. Hmmm Santa must use a four wheeler with a giant sunblock dispenser. 😉 Happy Holidays.
He probably sheds the red suit and just sticks with the hat…..Happy Holidays Teagan 🌟
Beautiful photographs
Merci beaucoup mon ami.
Magnificent
Thank you Graham.
Hi Cindy. Here is that link, enjoy!
https://twitter.com/AAllen69/status/1208763120371388416?s=09
Oh he is gorgeous! How wonderful!
Bellissime foto <3
Grazie mille 🌟
Your photos are fantastic Cindy! We’ve been through Death Valley many years ago.
Merry Christmas 🎄 all the best for 2020!
❤️carmen
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you Carmen and thank you 🌟
How on earth did you get such fab photos of the coyote? Nicely done!
Thank you. He was a friendly little guy so he made it quite easy.
Beautiful pictures 🤩🥰
Thanks so much! Happy you enjoyed.
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Vielen dank mein lieber Freund
Frohe Weihnachten und ein glückliches Neues Jahr!
Beautiful! The name suits the place. I would not like to get lost in this valley. It reminds of the verse in Psalms 23. “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me. Thy rod and staff comfort me.”
Since I was a very little child the 23rd Psalm was my nightly prayer, it’s comfort is overwhelming, “Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over.”
I love how the psalm described it, “Yeah though I walk through through the valley of the ‘shadow’ of death,’ I will fear no evil” meaning death is there, but is a shadow, for the walker, not affecting the walker yet, but the walker knows it will, eventually, and so, “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
It is just such utter spiritual beauty.
Thank you Beverly.
Amen. With God’s guidance and protectoin you do not need to fear evil or death. Glort to God!
🙏🏼 <3
Nice of the coyote to have you take its picture.
Yes, I thought he was a most polite coyote.
The colors are so subtle and striking at the same time.
Yes, Mother Nature is mind boggling. <3
We have been close to Death Valley, but we haven’t made into the park. Next time!! Joshua Tree was awesome, so I know we will like Death Valley too. Amazing topography!
Yes, Joshua Tree is wonderful and so unique. Those who love the contours, colors and peacefulness of the desert are drawn to return. It sounds like you are such. I fully relate.
that was a wolf right? what a catch! great pix again!
Coyote, but they share much of their DNA with wolves.
Death Valley is one of my favorite parks. A few years ago I did a road trip through Death Valley, Sequoia, Yosemite, San Francisco, the PCH, LA, Joshua Tree, Mojave, and Gold Butte. Sunrise at Zabriskie Point at Death Valley was possibly the most memorable moment on the entire trip. Along with a sunrise at Joshua Tree.
Awesome that you did this! I am not surprised it left an impression on you. Your trip was just so much experiential difference of nature’s incredible wonders.