Coyote ugly

Southern Californians are shocked to learn that coyotes are not merely curiosities you can see at the zoo. In fact, the curiosities are actually the humans. That is, apparently, when they aren't on the menu. Even though coyotes are predatory, voracious and clever (Wile E. is merely a pale imitation of the real thing) there's a mystique about the animal, and even about his prey, at least in these parts. California coyotes might not feed on white-tailed p-dogs as they do here, but they do feed on something. Hint: It's not made by Purina. We like to think that we're a permanent blight on nature's landscape, a malign species whose shadow will forever darken the lands on which we tread. Truth is, though, the coyote cares not a whit about us. We're just another lunch bouncing around on two legs, perhaps a bit more filling than most. Much as we think of ourselves as the top of the food chain, when was the last time you had a nice bit of juicy coyote? Wile E. knows who is predator and who is prey. And it's the opposite of the arrogant human perspective. We look at them and think, coyote ugly. They look at us and think, "Coyote damn lucky."