Living on the edge of the river valley this year has introduced me to a new experience; a curious merging of modernity and nature.

Sirens in the background are a part of downtown life. It isn’t particularly pleasant when considering the possible reasons, but the sound is an almost soothing familiarity.

What’s changed is the wide-open expanse of trees in the valley surrounding the river. Sitting on the balcony for my pre-dawn coffee I hear the high pitched whine of an emergency vehicle in the distance.

Not far off, I hear a few unmistakable cries. Soon, the entirety of the darkness below erupts in the barks, howls, yelps and wails of dozens of coyotes, echoing the cry of the long-passed fire truck.