Coyotes are among North America’s most adaptable and resourceful predators, known for their intelligence, agility, and distinctive vocalizations. At Triple D, photographers have the chance to work with coyotes in a natural setting, where their alert expressions and swift movements create endless opportunities for striking wildlife images. These sessions provide an authentic look at an animal often heard but rarely observed up close in the wild.
Scientific Name
Canis Latrans
Common Names
Coyote
Description
Coyotes are medium-sized canines with a lean, agile build, typically weighing between 20 and 45 pounds. Their coat varies in color from gray to reddish-brown, often blending seamlessly with open grasslands, brush, or forest edges. Highly intelligent and social, coyotes communicate through an array of howls, yips, and barks that can carry for miles. Their adaptability allows them to thrive in environments ranging from remote wilderness to the outskirts of cities. Quick, cunning, and curious, coyotes are often considered symbols of both survival and trickery in Native American traditions.
Filming Site
Our coyote sessions are held in natural locations close to the ranch, where open meadows, brush, and forest edges provide a habitat-like backdrop. The landscape allows for a variety of shots — from running sequences across open ground to poised, alert stances in the brush. The setting is carefully chosen to mimic the coyote’s natural range while offering clear, unobstructed views for photographers.
When Should You Visit
Coyotes can be observed and photographed throughout the year, offering opportunities in every season. They are most active during the cooler parts of the day, particularly early morning and late afternoon, when their alert expressions and movements are at their best. Spring and summer often reveal playful or curious behaviors, while autumn brings warm tones to the landscape that enhance portraits and action shots. These sessions provide the best chance to capture natural, dynamic images of coyotes in a setting that reflects their wild instincts.
What To Expect
Standing, kneeling, and sitting are permitted. Many photographers prefer to be lower when the Coyote is close, achieving an eye level image while standing when the Coyote is moving quickly or further away.
What You Should Know
Basic skills with your camera to:
- set exposures for various conditions ranging from bright sunlight to shade
- using higher shutter speeds and continuous auto focus to photographic action
If you use a tripod or monopod you should know how to:
- quickly change the height, especially important when transitioning between standing and kneeling or sitting (kneeling and sitting require trainer authorization);
- rotate between horizontal and vertical compositions.
What You Should Bring
Coyote movement may be quick or in a shady spot, therefore a larger aperture is more beneficial than focal length. The distance to the wolveswill vary, at times being quite close, thus a zoom lens is more versatile than a large prime lens. A 70-200 f2.8 works well in all situations. A 100-400 (or 80-400) will bring the Coyote closer, allowing for some intimate portraits.
Extra batteries and memory cards as there is nothing worse than running out. Unlike searching in the wild, a Triple D wolves model is present throughout the entire filming session and many photographers take more photos in several minutes than they would in an entire day.
A second camera:
- provides a backup should an equipment failure occur.
- allows you to continue the session when a battery is depleted or a memory card is full
- allows you to continue when your buffer is full
- can be equipped with different lenses (macro and zoom)
- can be set with a different exposure to easily transition between darker exposures and high-speed action
First time attendees are often surprised by the large number of photographs they capture. Secondary storage devices are recommended.
A circular polarizing filter may enhance water reflections.
Kneepads, cushion, or small stool for added comfort when shooting at a lower level.
If you prefer using a tripod than a quick release system is recommended as you may want to handhold your camera to capture some of the action.
The west side of the Rocky Mountains can experience precipitation year-round, ranging from rain to sleet to wet snow. Rain protection for your equipment will reduce your anxiety in these situations.
What You Should Do
Bring everything you need, including memory cards and batteries, to the photo session. You cannot leave the shooting compound once filming begins.
We’ve all done it one time or another, we’ve all been guilty of chimping. Minimize chimping during the photo session as it decreases battery life and increases the likelihood of missing a great shot.
Do not touch the animal, the operating permits prohibit public contact with the Triple D animals.
Staying together as a group helps the trainer guide the animal to look in your direction. Consider moving within the group to capture photos from a different perspective and allow others to photograph from your position.
Do not call out to the animal or make any noises in order to get its attention. A successful session is only possible when the animal is focused on the trainer.
Silence your phone and do not answer or make phone calls.
Participant covenants and agrees that it will not photograph nor distribute, publish or make public in any manner photographs of:
(1) Any of Providers facilities, including, without limitation, cages, pens, or exercise areas;
(2) Any of the Subject Models when on a leash or in cages or pens;
(3) The Trainers or any of Provider’s employees, either with or without the Subject Models without Providers prior written authorization.
