Photographer Irene Searles returns to Yellowstone — starring coyotes this year

Woodside-based photographer — and longtime InMenlo contributor — Irene Searles returned to Yellowstone National Park for the third time in February.

“Each trip highlighted a different animal — first year wolves; second year foxes, and this year coyotes,” she says.

“When you go on a trip like this you have hopes of what you’ll see. But it doesn’t work that way. You see what nature presents.”

This year that also included otters, swans, eagles, ravens and bison (which are everywhere).

Organized by Amy Ames Photography, Irene was one of eight photographers, which was challenged by almost “too warm” temperatures.

“Minus 20 is great but the low was 6 this year and that impacted the animals we saw.”

For Irene the trips are great because she can observe animals in a quiet setting with no crowds. “As portrait photographer, I often look for a head shot. Then when I go through the photos I see even more!”

Shown here are two what she calls “storybook coyotes.” (top) “They could be the cover of a children’s book,” she says.

She also liked the way one coyote was looking for the next place to hunt (third photo).

And finally how they move. “When they walk, they are almost thief-like, putting their heads down to listen better.” (bottom photo)

Photos by Irene Searles (c) 2026