Story and photo by Janet Flint, Searsport
In the early years of Friends of Sears Island, Bob Ramsdell and I served as Vice President and President of the Board of Directors. Sometime between 2008 and 2010, an official from Maine’s conservation department asked us to take him out to Sears Island to tour it and help search for an eagles’ nest that was said to be at its southern end. He had never been to the Island and there were no trails cut at that time, only some narrow deer trails.
Accompanied by my dog Munchie (a brindle-colored 100-pound Akita mix breed), the three of us set out to hike the entire perimeter of the Island inside the tree line.
When we arrived at the southern region we searched back and forth deeper into the spruce forest. Sadly, we did not find the nest.
Heading back toward the outer perimeter, we were amazed to come upon a coyote den. We might have missed it had it not been for the excitement of seven fearless fuzzy pups emerging from the holes. These pups were approximately six to eight weeks old, curious and happily running all around us.
Concerned that their parents would return or that our scent could be transferred to them if any jumped up on us, we pressed forward, all the while looking back to see if any pups were following. To our astonishment, Munchie gently picked up each pup, carried it back to the den, and nudged them all inside. Once she had completed her task, she ran ahead to join us, and we continued on with the hike.
A project of volunteers who care deeply about Sears Island