The raw, primal essence of the wilderness emerges as coyotes’ nocturnal howls pierce the stillness, a haunting symphony of survival that echoes through the darkness. Their feeding frenzies ripple through the night as I lie awake, the visceral connection between predator and prey reverberating in my mind. The chance discovery of their den while wandering the forest near my home brought a layer of intimacy and tension, with these wild canines cohabiting nearby, capturing nature’s fragile balance of brutality and beauty. I felt both uneasy and queasy upon discovering the remains of creatures once alive. The sight of death, even in nature’s context, forces uncomfortable reflections on life’s value, as mortality feels ever so close. -New England 2024