Coyotes Kill Hiker in Cape Breton

Something extremely rare in North America has happened in Nova Scotia: Coyotes have attacked and killed a hiker in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. This happened on the popular Skyline Trail on October 27. Two coyotes were involved in the attack. One was killed shortly afterwards, and a search is being undertaken for the second.

In fact, coyote attacks of any kind are unusual, and most outdoor enthusiasts, myself included, have seen coyotes on dozens of occasions and have never felt threatened. I have seen coyotes in Gatineau Park, in the Ottawa Greenbelt, and elsewhere in eastern Ontario and western Québec. I have even been followed, on more than one occasion, by a curious coyote.

The picture accompanying this article was taken be me in Arizona, and shows a typical western coyote. Eastern coyotes tend to be larger and darker, suggesting cross-breeding with eastern timber wolves. Coyotes only arrived in Nova Scotia in the 1970s, having spread across the continent from west to east.

There is considerable speculation on the reason for this nearly unprecedented attack, and further details about this story will be of interest to outdoor people as they become available. Additional information may be found at: http://thechronicleherald.ca/Front/1149776.html.

October Hiking

For me, October is the best month for hiking around Ottawa. The stifling humidity of the summer is a distant memory, even the most hardy mosquitoes have succumbed to the cooler temperatures, and the days, while much shorter, crackle with a crisp freshness that invigorates both mind and body.

But best of all, by October the millions of hardwood trees that carpet the hills of the surrounding Canadian Shield and Laurentian Highlands go through their annual transformation from the rich green of summer to the colourful quilt of yellow, orange, and red of fall. This natural tapestry generates wonder and curiousity from even those who never venture into the forest at any other time of the year, and local trails, especially in nearby Gatineau Park, throng with walkers in numbers that are difficult to believe.

Every year, the National Capital Commission hosts the "Fall Rapsody", a celebration of the magic of this remarkable natural transpformation. In 2009, this runs from October 2-18, and includes interpretive events and guided walks. But whether you brave the crowds in Gatineau Park, or venture elsewhere into the equally vibrant, but less well-travelled countryside, October is the month to be on the trails.