by Kristen Foley
Janet Kessler provided a room full of nature enthusiasts and curious neighbors an informative talk about San Francisco coyotes at the North Beach Library on November 12.
Kessler has been documenting coyote behavior for more than 17 years through field work across San Francisco neighborhoods, capturing stunning photos and videos of these fascinating animals. She is a self-taught naturalist who has dedicated her time to educating the public about our often misunderstood four-legged residents.
“They are much more intelligent than most people think. They think and plan ahead; they have direction and purpose to their actions,” Kessler said. “They have individual relationships and routines. They are protective of their areas and have likes and dislikes between themselves. They love to play, they hunt for a living, and they have flawless memories.”
Kessler’s presentation covered the origin of coyotes in San Francisco and their behaviors and family dynamics. The audience reveled in her spectacular photos and videos of coyote calls and activity. Made by her own observations using facial recognition, Kessler shared a territory map that outlined the 20 regions in San Francisco where coyotes are most prevalent. She closed her presentation focusing on the distinct characteristics of the coyotes of North Beach.
The most important thing people need to know about coyotes, Kessler said, is to keep pets on a leash when coyotes are around and to walk away from them. “Coexistence is really easy; keep away from them. Don’t let pets roam free, and don’t feed coyotes.”
If you missed this captivating talk, you can visit her coyote blog at www.coyoteyipps.com or attend Kessler’s next presentation at 3 p.m. on February 15 at Bernal Heights Branch Library, 500 Cortland Avenue, San Francisco.
Keep an eye out for email announcements regarding more thought-provoking talks at the North Beach Library in 2025.
