Coyote

**not my photo, btw.

This was staring at me yesterday. 

Right by our mailbox.  

This does not bode well for my chickens. 

My daughter said she saw a coyote just a week ago in our yard (very close to our chicken coop). 

It was Saturday morning before the rest of us were up.  Her fox loving brother, Middlest, confirmed that her description did indeed match that of a coyote (and not a fox).  Hubby and I kept a thin thread of hope alive that perhaps she'd seen a mangy, wolfish dog. 

Later I showed her pictures on the internet of coyotes and foxes.  She was sure it was a coyote. 

Fast forward to this sighting.  She and I were in the car on our way out (it's a small drive to our rural mailbox) when I saw it.  She was right.

I couldn't help it.  My first reaction was "Oh my, you're so beautiful!" and not "Stay the F away from my chickens!!" 

He stared at me warrily for five minutes...me inching along in the car as he took a step.  No way was I going to let him get between me (in the car) and the coop.  This time.

We've been warned. The coyote will be back.