I would say coyote, since it seems too small for a wolf and you generally can't get this close to wolves. To tell the difference between a coyote and a wolf, note that a coyote carries its tail below the level of its back when it runs, whereas a wolf will hold its tail up while running.
The second shot could use some noise reduction and the last shot quite a bit of NR.
I'm thinking wolf on this. The muzzle is a bit more rounded and more stout than every coyote I've seen. Does look to be a young one. Pics below are pretty representative of what I've seen.
Thanks Imagemaster and Bmetcan: Precisely my confusion. Most wolves are very wary. I saw one a weak ago and it rushed into the bush but this one did not.
However, this is an known area for wolves and usually coyotes are killed and driven away by wolves.
And I have seen lots of coyotes and he looks too full in the face.
He was very skinny - not very old.
It is noisy because it was shot at 9Pm with ISO 1600 at dusk.
I would have to say it looks like a wolf to me. Doesn't have the triangular face and pointed ears that most coyotes have. The rounded ear tips look like a wolf to me. great captures, Scott. really like #1.
Darryl
Robert. I think it is a 12 month old wolf. Likely born middle of last summer and very skinny and immature yet.
Darryl: Thanks for the feedback Darryl. I am of the same view as yourself on the shape of the face. But given its youth, it is a lot smaller than other wolves I have seen.
Another vote for a wolf with a summer coat. Coyotes have much longer ears and a more slender snout (like a fox). As far as being scrawny, wolves are lean animals to begin with (think of long distance runners) and after loosing their winter coat they often look emaciated.
I would say wolf from the look of the head in the first one Scott, not that I have seen many of either but its what comes to mind.
Very nice pics and I like the first one the best. You managed to get nice and close.
Martin
Willamette: Thanks for the input. Appreciated. Scott
Martin: Thanks for the input on species. I was surprised to get so close. These were taken out of the car window with 300mm lens at about 9pm (hour before dark). Thanks for feedback on pictures. Scott
Reypet: Thanks for the input on species. Appreciated. Scott
bkiesling: Thanks for the feedback and the input on the wolf. Scott
Gene: Thank you too. Scott
Josh: Sounds odd to me. My understanding is that wolves drive (kill) the wolves out of there area but I will do some research. Maybe the Rockies wolves are less friendly than the Ontario wolves Thanks for the feedback. Scott
From: http://www.wonderquest.com/Wolf-coyote.htm "Yes, coyotes and wolves interbreed. Each species ranges far: a wolf pack typically from 40 to 400 square miles. Wolves and coyotes run across each other hunting and can interbreed. Most of the hybrids live in eastern Canada. " Apparently when mates are scarce (Eastern Canada), a male wolf will mate with a female coyote but where the mates are plentiful they are less likely to do so. So less likely in the Canadian Rockies. Given the long standing humor between Toronto and Alberta, I will avoid the obvious humor Scott
Steve Shinn wrote:
Ears, coloring, cheek tufts and muzzel = gray wolf yearling for me.
Thanks Steve. After reading about it and looking at web sites I am convinced that it is a yearling wolf. I was just taken aback by its lack of worry with the car which from my experience is very rare. I saw a bigger taller wolf at Lake Louise last wee, just off the turn off to Moraine Lake, and he quickly ran into the bush before I could turn around and get my camera out. And he was much taller and darker than this one. Scott
