Was out for my morning hike along a logging road which skirts around a stand of white pine. The soil at that point is sandy and it had rained Sat. evening so there was no problem seeing fresh critter tracks.I came to a spot that was the width of the road and maybe 12-15 feet long that was packed down by coyote tracks.I looked for any sign of a fresh kill but there was none- no blood or hair.Thought it was odd but chalked it off to a young family sunning themselves in the road?I walked about 100 yds. or so and was surprised to see a mature coyote walking parallel to the road I was walking on.That coyote exhibited no fear but had to have known I was there within 40 yds. or so.Again I thought it was very odd behavior and wished I was packing my S&W but I was'nt. About an hour later I was returning on the same logging road and jumped three, that I saw, coyote pups within maybe 100 ft. of that trampled down spot in the sand.I guess that mature coyote was momma just looking-out for her pups.