We hadn't seen the coyote family here for more than a week, then a few days ago the father emerged.

He paced the ridge, barking, an urgent and persistent call that sent the dogs here into a frenzy:

He descended the trail and listened for a while.

Just a few minutes after he took off, headed into the little arroyo that holds the den, his mate appeared and followed. No sign of the pups -- only two now -- though we heard them last night, squeaky voices learning to copy their elder's howls.