DEAR JOAN: My employment requires me to check equipment that is located in a small open area surrounded by trees. One day, I turned on a blind corner and two coyotes were walking towards me about 15 feet away.

I checked the equipment and started walking back in their direction to exit. One coyote turned around and showed me its teeth and a death stare. It shortly turned around and started being playful with the other.

Why that reaction to me from the coyote, when it saw me already walk past them?

— Don Markley, Mountain View

DEAR DON: The coyote was exhibiting a very healthy wariness of humans.

Coyotes are, on the whole, uncomfortable and suspicious of humans. We’re somewhat unpredictable to them, which makes them want to keep their distance and keep watch to see what we’re up to. The

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