Welcome to the 15th edition of Windows on Wildlife! If you have a recent post about wildlife you’d like to share – it can be anything: birds, insects, mammals – scroll down to the end of the post and add your site; a compilation of all additions will be posted the following week. Please don’t forget to link back here (I’d love it if you’d add the Windows on Wildlife button to your post which you can find on our sidebar) and visit other blogs that have articles to share. Thanks for stopping by!
I’ve been drawn to coyotes for over 15 years, when I started learning about them through personal research and discovered how intelligent, adaptable and beautiful they are. I’ve always been a dog person, which probably adds to my inclination towards wolves and coyotes. But I also feel like there’s something deeper – more personal – in my fascination with coyotes.
I’ve discovered through years of both casual and formal study that Coyote is my totem, or power animal. Everyone has one, whether they’re aware of what that animal is or not, and knowing mine I’ve lately started focusing on the more archetypal aspects of Coyote. Coyote was viewed as both creator and trickster by Native American plains tribes. The ability to hold great magic, but to not always use it wisely or effectively was often Coyote’s role in lore.
Coyote reminds us that lightness and play are important aspects of life, often when we’re taking things too seriously. Coyote masterfully blends knowledge and folly – read any coyote trickster tales and this becomes evident immediately. Much like the Fool card in traditional tarot decks, Coyote’s wisdom might not be seen right away because of his foolishness, but he holds great knowledge just the same. Coyote’s energies are tied to simplicity and trust, and reminds us that a childlike innocence is often a wonderful way to view the world (especially the natural world). And finally Coyote teaches the importance of humor and laughter – especially the ability to laugh at yourself.
Do you know your totem animal? Or perhaps just feel a connection to a particular species? Totems can be birds, insects, mammals, fish or any other type of wild animal. but they are usually wild, not domestic. What does your animal have to teach you?
Resources/ Recommended Reading:
Animal-Speak, by Ted Andrews
American Indian Trickster Tales, by Richard Erdoes
================================================================
Gary and Boomer from Vermilion River shared some great duck, warbler and sparrow photos last week, but my favorites were the river otters and raccoons which had had their lunch disturbed. Share your own wildlife posts through the link-in below!
Love the picture! I’m not sure what my totem animal is. Maybe the wolf. I have two Siberian huskies who look, and often act, like wolves. They’re fascinating to me.
Yes, I’d imagine you have a strong connection to wolves through your beautiful dogs! I love how much dogs (and cats) teach us about their wild cousins.
Great photo of the wolf! I am intrigued now to find out what my totem animal is.
Coincidentally I just posted a wildlife photo on youthful innocence – the mind is clearer with less clutter at a young age.
I love the symmetry of our posts!
Last week in all the fog, I missed a shot of two black wolf pups, about 3/4’s the size of Boom, at the beaver pond. My lens fogged in the fog, and I couldn’t get the lens changed in time. I’ve seen wolves 5 times here, now 7 times. Three of those have been black. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River. P.S. Boom is an Alaskan Malamute, a direct descendant of the Grey Wolf.
Oh wow, that’s amazing. Too bad you couldn’t get the pictures. I love Malamutes! Particularly because of their linage to wolves. I’ve always owned German Shepherds, for much the same reason. They have a very close genetic link to wolves – more so than most other breeds (probably not as much as Malamutes, though!).
I’ve just discovered your site through Fergiemoto’s link :-). It’s wonderful to read your post on animals as totems. Wild creatures can capture one’s existential self. Here in the Cape I’m drawn to Otter, but I’m fascinated by Baboon. The San folklore tells of tales of mistrust between man and Baboon, and in contemporary times, they’re viewed as vermin. Changing urban man’s attitudes is a challenge.
Hi Liz! It’s interesting to see how our attitudes towards certain species has changed over time, especially species that were once seen as pests, or were once revered but now seen as mundane. Although people usually have just one totem (and that animal can change over time), we are often drawn to many species over our lifetime, often as that animal has something to teach us.