Usually when Melissa McLeod sees a coyote on Belle Isle they turn and run.

Last weekend, one stayed around long enough for her to take a picture.

The 30-year-old nature lover from southwest Detroit posted an Instagram photo of the coyote.

“I’ve seen a couple of them on the island,’’ McLeod said Friday. “I was on one of the trails by the athletic field. That’s the only time I have seen them in that area. I was just walking looking for beavers and I saw his head sticking out. I didn’t get scared. It didn’t startle me. I just gave him his space and took a couple of photos and let him do what he was doing; hunting or whatever.’’

Holly Vaughn, wild life communications coordinator for the Department of Natural Resources in the Detroit area, said there may be a coyote or two in the area but there have been no complaints or incidents.

[The Michigan DNR recently warned that coyotes have been more visible than usual. Read more here.]

“It’s certainly possible that it was a coyote,’’ said Vaughn. “Coyotes have been seen in Detroit and on the island, so it is possible. As far as public safety there’s nothing to be concerned about. Coyotes are very secretive and very shy, and they tend to run away if you approach.’’

Vaughn warned not to approach a coyote if you see one, just quietly walk in the other direction.

“There’s really no danger,’’ she said. “Both foxes and coyotes have been observed on the island. They do live on the island and around the city. Give the coyote plenty of space and they’ll do the same to you. Don’t try to pet it, don’t try to touch it. Just let it be.’’

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Vaughn said there may be at least one family group on the Island; a pair and their youngsters, which would be anywhere from four to six.

McLeod said she has seen more than one coyote on Belle Isle.

“I go all the time; about three times a week,’’ she said. “I see beavers, muskrats, a ton of birds; lots and lots of birds. I’ve seen 100 birds there, 100 different species. I’m sure there are a family of coyote on the island.’’

Vaughn and Ron Olson of the DNR in Lansing, said there have been no calls or complaints of coyote sightings by patrons.

“That’s the first we’ve heard of it,’’ said Olson. “I can’t confirm that’s the case. Sometimes people mistake dogs for coyotes, but it’s possible. ….We have seen red fox, water fowl, ducks; wild birds and sometimes there are migrating swans and other aquatic water fowl that go through that area. There’s a huge variety of ducks that have been observed. I’m sure there are hawks and things like that in most wooded areas.’’

This, as McLeod would attest, was a coyote.