Dramatic Video Of Coyote Crossing Field

I did some birding along the Connecticut River in Portland this morning. The water level was very high. I saw a young Bald Eagle stretching its wings while sitting on the end of Gildersleeve Island. I counted 7 Indigo Buntings during my short walk. There were also numerous Northern Flickers, 2 Belted Kingfishers, a Solitary Sandpiper, and a Rose-breasted Grosbeak along with an assortment of other familiar birds. I didn't stay long because they were setting up for a truck pulling event at the fairgrounds.

If you are heading north on 17a, there is a short dirt drive-thru past the fairgrounds on the left. From this location you have a good view of a flooded field at the outer edge of Wangunk Meadows. There were 2 Green Herons along with a Great Blue Heron there this morning.

One of the interesting things about herons is that their appearance changes a lot depending on their posture. Note the change in appearance of the same bird in photo 1 and photo 2.

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I had just finished taking this video of the heron when I heard a loud splashing sound coming from my left. I saw what appeared to be a coyote crossing the field.

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I quickly hit the record button again and watched as the coyote came splashing across the field less than 40 feet away from me. Talk about being at the right place at the right time! I have seen coyotes in the area on occasion but never in such dramatic fashion! Note: (The squeaky sound in the middle of the video is the camera rubbing against the camera case. I was using it to steady the camera. )