The coyotes had a feast

 We often watch the deer fighting. It's just to say who is boss. I realized that the play fighting teaches them how to protect themselves. They seldom hurt one another, and want to establish dominance. They whack away with their hooves.

Coyotes can't take down a healthy deer. They can kill the fawns and vulnerable, or ill deer.  We are down a fawn. In the predawn hours March 15th, about 4 a.m., I think. I could see blood just beyond the shed.

It was fast.

She fought hard...

There are no bones left, or other body parts. Lots of fur remains. They cleaned up really well.

Coyotes had the audacity to poop and pee: 

Lots of coyote tracks. I took a walk and there are coyote tracks all down the hill, across the meadow and the frog pond. 

In the predawn hours March 15th, about 4 a.m. I'd been awake at three, but fell asleep. I caught the coyote trotting down the driveway holding the leg in its mouth. It's been a cold winter. They must be hungry.

The full story, with all the photos, is here if you are curious. I don't want to gross you out. I'm still processing the event. I went out to see the site after the rain. I think the crows have been cleaning up, and taken the stomach and other few bits.  

Things were pretty quiet for a couple of days, but then the deer returned.