A coyote stands on wet pavement reflected in a puddle against a city skyline.

Every essay and photo story

Nine pieces from the field — published 2015 and 2016, kept canonical here for the long record.

All essays

In order of publication

The most recent piece is first. Pupping season, road behaviour, vocalisation, dogs, compost, neighbourhood awareness, and the National Geographic field project.

A photographer lies prone in dry grass aiming a telephoto lens at a coyote standing nearby, with an urban skyline visible in the background.

Field project · April 22, 2016

Hitting the road with a National Geographic Expeditions Council Grant

Graffiti, Chicago coyotes, garden gnomes, and three women with cameras on the road for National Geographic.

A coyote walks along a suburban sidewalk at sunset, passing large black mailboxes in the foreground.

Neighbourhoods · March 19, 2016

10 ways to help your neighbors be coyote aware

Flyers, workshops, dog-owner conversations, backyard planning — community-level guidance for coyote-aware neighbourhoods.

A coyote stands on a rock overlooking a city at dusk, head tilted back howling against a twilight sky.

Vocalisation · September 2, 2015

Translating the Song Dog: What coyotes are saying when they howl

The most vocal of North America's mammals — a field-led guide to alarm barks, group yip-howls, and lone howls.

A coyote sniffs the ground near a large black compost bin in a garden at dusk under warm background lighting.

Backyards · June 22, 2015

How compost piles are creating problem coyotes

Backyard food sources can draw coyotes into close contact with people, pets, and avoidable danger.

A coyote stands on a paved path looking at the camera, with ferns to the right and blurred trees in the background.

Dogs · May 16, 2015

What to do if you encounter a coyote while walking your dog

The most common source of conflict begins with pets, territory, and a walk that suddenly becomes more complicated.

A coyote sits alertly on a dark asphalt road at dusk, facing forward with blurred cars and warm glowing lights in the background.

Reference · April 5, 2015

10 fascinating facts about urban coyotes

Territories, dens, packs, food, nocturnal habits — a deep reference on urban coyote ecology in one place.

An adult coyote rests alertly while two pups sleep curled beside it under large exposed tree roots and green ferns.

Coexistence · March 10, 2015

It's coyote pupping season! What you need to know to coexist

Spring denning changes coyote behaviour. A field-led explainer on what residents and dog-walkers should expect.

A grey and tawny coyote walks along a concrete curb, lifting its front paw, with a blurred suburban street background.

Road behaviour · February 13, 2015

Urban coyotes learn how to navigate roads

Traffic is one of the most persistent pressures on urban coyotes. The survivors become careful students of the street.

A coyote stands on wet pavement facing forward, reflected in a large puddle at its feet against a city skyline.

Editorial · February 12, 2015

Urban coyotes: Finding inspiration in a controversial canid

Why a divisive, often-vilified canid deserves long-form attention. The opening editorial for the project.