Some years ago this beautiful coyote was hit by a car on State Route 85, resulting
in a severe leg injury that caused him to limp. Unable to hunt in the wild, the
crippled critter began hanging out at the Texaco station in the rural community
of Why, Arizona (just north of Organ Pipe Monument). He become quite acclimated
to humans and coaxed many visitors into giving him hand-outs. In fact, many
folks said the coyote would actually "smile" as he begged. However, in January
2026 I stopped at the gas station (now Marathon gas) but couldn't find the coyote.
I asked the cashier about it and she said he got struck on the highway – again – but
this time he did not survive. R.I.P. my smiling friend. You were a good coyote.

Back to Gallery        Photo ID: OPC13        NOT FOR SALE

   Coyote in the community of Why, Arizona.
  

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All photographs on this website are copyrighted by
David L. Wilson. Giving credit for using my images is
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Nature and Landscape Photography of the Southwest and Beyond
Enjoy these nature and landscape photographs of deserts, canyons,
mountains, grasslands, trees, forests, meadows, high country, cactus,
sand dunes, wildflowers, rivers, creeks, lakes, streams, waterfalls
and other wild scenery throughout the American southwest including
Arizona, Utah, New Mexico and California, plus Colorado and other
parts of the country, all by Dave Wilson of Phoenix, Arizona.