Yesterday the desert ravine below my Albuquerque housing division was running with water after a rainstorm during the night...a rare sight.

During my early morning hike, I crossed paths with three of the coyotes in the desert strip near Paradise Meadows Park; a juvenile male and female from last year's litter, and an adult male. I hung around while they dug for Merriam's kangaroo rats, then they set off up the valley.

I trailed behind, taking photos of flora and fauna as I went.

Near my turn-off to climb up to my cul-de-sac, the coyotes flushed a black-tailed jackrabbit. There was a flash of movement too fast to follow as the coyotes gave chase, but suddenly the jackrabbit was sitting a few yards from me..

Confused, the coyotes stopped chasing it and stood waiting politely for me, the more dominate coyote, to make the kill.

When I failed to act, they gave up and headed off to take a nap on a little island in the middle of the ravine..

Photo: 7-17-19 coyote in desert ravine flowing with water after a rainstorm, Albuquerque, New Mexico