About Many Coyotes Photography
Many Coyotes
An extended photography trip into the Four Corners. There was no itinerary, no advance reservations for lodging. I just went. That enabled me to stay however long or short a period of time at any given location.
Shiprock: the gate was open. There were not any No Trespassing signs. The gateway opened to a track that traveled a few miles to the base of Shiprock. It sits on Navajo Lands. Sacred ground. The Dine' believe that in the beginning this is the exact location where they sprang to the face of the earth. After traveling a few hundred yards I realized that I did not belong there, this ground belongs to the Navajo. I was comfortable with the distance I had traveled to get closer. So I stayed and took the time to simply "feel" where I was at.
THE DREAM
On the return trip home to Texas, I stayed the night in an old motel at Clovis. During the night I came wide awake from a dream. As I lie awake re-playing the dream in my mind, it was more than just a dream, it was too real - it was a vision.
"I was walking the track that led to Shiprock, as I turned around to look back, there was a pack of coyotes there, they were closely following me. Then I realized I was in danger, I was their intended prey! Quickly I looked down to my side and there was a very large white coyote walking beside me... it was there to protect me".
In conclusion I think it was a sign, an acknowledgement of my journey to Shiprock. I took comfort in the fact. I had been welcomed and protected. Hence the name "Many Coyotes".