Stock image #etun0026

Coyotes are a common sight in Joshua Tree National Monument: fed by visitors that don't understand that they are wild animals and should be respected as such, they have learned not to be scared of humans. The evening and its associated warm light had come, and I was getting busy photographing places spotted during the day's exploration. While I was traveling from one site to another, I noticed this coyote, next to the paved road. When I stopped, instead of running away as I would expect wildlife to do, it seemed to pose for the picture, in a perfect light and in front of a scenic backdrop of Joshua trees. It left as soon as the shot was taken.