In the suburban coastal towns of Southern California, with their manicured lawns, swimming pools, and sprawling networks of freeways, it’s easy to feel far from nature. Concerns about squeezing in a mid-day surf before picking up the kids from school and jetting them to soccer practice may be the closest the area’s denizens get in a given day to the natural world. And yet, sometimes it sneaks upon them in the form of a coyote enjoying a nice stroll down the beach in the middle of the day.
Such was the case earlier this week in Huntington Beach when a California State Parks officer caught a happy coyote enjoying a trot down the beach on camera. The video was shot at Bolsa Chica State Beach, just up the road from the H.B. Pier and Huntington’s Dog Beach. Who knows, maybe the coyote was hoping to catch some of the action down at the US Open of Surfing and got his dates mixed up.
Whatever the case, State Parks used their Instagram account to remind park visitors and beachgoers that despite the crowds that often scare them away, wildlife can still be spotted at beaches and parks.
“For this #WildlifeWednesday, we are sending out a reminder that our parks are still home to a variety of animals, despite them being occupied by people every day,” wrote State Parks in a post. “This coyote was spotted by one of our peace officers early Monday morning at Bolsa Chica State Beach. While coyotes are not commonly seen at our beaches, always be mindful that wildlife occupies these habitats too!”
