Backyard Coyote?!

This critter ran into our backyard this afternoon at tea-time. It didn't stay long, so we only caught a brief glimpse. At first I thought it was a dog. Then I though it might be a large fox, so I quickly snapped a few pictures. Looking at the pictures I don't think it was a fox after all -- looks far more like a coyote?!

I didn't know it until I just checked online, but apparently coyotes can be found in every county in NC. Probably a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see one in our backyard though.