Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Circle of Life

This morning around six, Calvin and I woke up to the sound of howling, terror-stricken crying.

"Oooooowww ooohh oowww!" Over and over and over......

We immediately thought, "Caroline!" and we flew out of bed, hearts pounding, sprinting in the direction of her room to rescue her from whatever in hell was ripping her limbs out of their sockets.

But as I passed our bedroom window, something caught my eye and I turned my head just long enough to see what it was.

We had a coyote in our back yard, not 15 feet from the window, tearing the hell out of ....SOMEthing...

That's when I put the breaks on Calvin. Caroline, having woken to the same clamor was already moving and close on the heels of our cowardly cat who was fleeing toward the safety of Calvin's pillow.

It didn't take but a second to enlighten all of us (except the cat, who was unhinged and a goner) on what had been howling and had now ceased the unholy caterwauling. The unfortunate creature was now in the backyard being ripped to shreds by a ferociously hungry coyote.

We watched in fascination for a long time as the coyote finished every little scrap of the hare, including the bones. Did you know that rabbits and hares cry and scream loudly when they're about to die?

As of now the coyote has gone, having nimbly lept back over the wall. The only evidence that there was a chase, a struggle, a snuffing and a feast is the few sad little tufts of fur blowing forlornly about the yard.

This was an opportune time to remind Caroline of how nature works. She took it well when reminded that coyotes have babies that need feeding, too.

And as for myself and Calvin...this served as a reminder that we actually do live in the southwest. The snow days, dead cacti, and subzero temperatures had begun to erase that knowledge from our minds.

Calvin was quick enough to grab the point-and-shoot but the photos of the coyote are barely discernable. I will post what I can salvage, soon.