Just came back from a treacherous pre-dawn hike in the #woods.

[peteorrall@mastodon.bsd.cafe]

Just came back from a treacherous pre-dawn hike in the #woods. Started off with a wintery mix of #snow and freezing rain. A lot of the snow on the roads melted just enough to be coated in black ice. Once on the trails, there was enough old crunchy snow for stable traction. Barely any wind and just the soft pitter-patter of the now #rain tapping the snow.

Incredibly peaceful...until I crossed paths with *five* coyotes. And that was my cue to turn back. The first two scattered when they saw me. The remaining three were hidden in the brush about 15 feet from me. Their eyes lit up like Times Square when I scanned the area with my headlamp.

Here in #Massachusetts the #coyote is a wolf/coyote hybrid. They are the size of German Shepherds and do *not* fear #humans.

On a side note: I run a dual #headlamp system. A 1,000 #lumen one mounted on my head and an 850 lumen one secured to my sternum strap as a flood light. This flexible #system gives me two *independent* #light sources. Had I only been using the flood light I wouldn't have even seen them.

Good morning!

#hike #goodmorning #nature #health #animals