Give me a home where the coyotes roam...

At least one city dweller in the QCs has spotted a coyote wandering through their yard, and a DNR official says that it's to be expected and will likely increase. As urban sprawl continues to eat into their habitat, more animals normally only seen in wild areas will be forced to enter cities as they seek small wooded areas in which to migrate through.

The Dope has a neighbor who says he's seen coyotes in the woods around his house. The Dope was a bit amazed and a little skeptical, but this story would seem to prove him correct.

The Dope has spotted red foxes within Moline on two occasions, and often sees deer bounding across city streets.

A early one spring a couple of years ago The Dope was amazed to see a huge bird perched in a small tree behind Casa del Dope. It was almost 3 feet in height, and looked like an eagle, though it didn't have a white head. The Dope speculates that it may have been a juvenile bald eagle, but it was very large. Maybe it was a turkey buzzard?

At any rate, have any of you city types out there spotted unusual critters in town lately?