Our Local Coyote

It is difficult to tell whether a coyote is male or female as both look quite similar, with the exception of size. Adult coyotes weigh 20 to 35 pounds, with males being slightly larger than females. At the shoulder, an adult male coyote is about 25 inches tall.

Not sure of our comfort level here as this animal has staked out its claim_ our landscape_ its habitat. A frequent morning visitor outside my studio window, drinking from a tray of water on the ground that is a supplemental bird bath, casually walking about the garden_but with purpose_ looking, searching... confidently walking along the path_ the west side of the house_ then heads south... 
 
PS: Clearly our chickens will not be free range