pretty healthy looking pack
great shots, Scott, and thanks for the backstory
love the "arrangement" in your fifth image.
All have beautiful color and detail.
Outstanding series. As spectacular as the Northern Lights can be it can't match a wild wolf encounter like that. Not many people can say they have been that close to a wild wolf.
Wonderful photos Scott. Circling around you and howling must be intimidating even in the safety of an automobile. You were almost breakfast.
We had good reports from my astronomy club gang of aurora sightings down in virginia mid last week but there was no activity here saturday night. I made my last attempts of the rose nebula for the season.
If you need an escort, I'll go out with you anytime for an opportunity like this. I get a week on the north tier of Yellowstone once a year and an image at 200-300 yards is considered a good day there.
Scott- these are fascinating photographs!
As terrific as the images are, the experience must have been even better. I sure envy you that.
And thanks for giving the backstory- it supplements the pics perfectly (or is it the other way 'round? )
So there I was, scrolling down and marveling at the images... and then the big male is looking at you and licking its chops. ZOWIE!
But wait. It looks like his eyes are NOT looking at your eyes (the lens)- but are focused a couple feet down. Your tripod?
Charlie
codroy: It was a fantastic morning. Glad you like 3 and the story. Much appreciated. Scott
tfoltz: Glad you like them. It was just 20' short of a real encounter but much fun just the same. Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated. Scott
randysc: Glad you like 5,7,11. They were great models. Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated. Scott
ashley138: Glad you like them. I left the tripod leg in just to show how close he got. I have enough good ones (unposted) that I don't need to clone. Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated. Scott
nwadventurer7: Glad you like them. The howling was one of the best moments. I turned on my video on my 7d to get the howling. I need to check it this evening. Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated. Scott
kmunroe: Glad you like them. The wolf got to about 30' before I got in the truck and then I shot out the open window from about 5' on one occassion. He was close. Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated. Scott
MS PHOTO: Glad you like 11. He was telling me that I was tasty looking. Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated. Scott
rick2906: Yup - and I was the prospective dinner. Glad you like them. Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated. Scott
pliukait: I am 2 times lucky within 6 months. If you go out every weekend loaded (lens) for wolves eventually you find them. Glad you like the wolves. Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated. Scott
surfnron: There is no feeling like taking pictures of wolves with a 70-200 on a full frame camera. It was fun. Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated. Scott
sbeme: Nice to hear from you. The pack was very healthy. This is the end of the best time of the year for them. The prey is tired and hungry and still needs to be on its toes. Glad you like them. It was hard to arrange them for the photoshoot. Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated. Scott
UgashikBob: And for me this is the 2nd time in 6 months. In November I had a pack go around me after some outstanding opportunity. Its time to retire and pursue cougars. It was a great day. Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated. Scott
KCollett: Glad you like my model wolves. I had them sign a waiver. Glad you like the grouping. Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated. Scott
dgdg: The howling happened after the wolf moved away - it was a great moment. I tried to record it on my 7d video. It was amazing. I bought a 700mm refractor with tracking legs and I am looking forward to a bit of warm weather here for night photography. Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated. Scott
birdied: It was intimidating. The wolf stopped, looked at me closed in 20', then stopped, I took some more, then he did it again, then a repeat until he was about 30'. I then decided it was getting to dangerous but I did not want to leave my 11,000$ lens on the tripod so I took it off and got in the car slowing while keeping eye contact. And then he was right there. I opened the window with my 70-200/5diii and even then I though - can he jump through the open window. Fortunately all went well and he just posed for the pictures. A moment to remember. Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated. Scott
rodmcwha: Although you are probably right, some tourists have taken to feeding wolves along this highway, and this one was not afraid of me. It is much different in fact than in theory when a 150lb wolf is approaching you, with another 7 or so around you in the bush. All said, I suspect it was the tripod that looks like antlers that caused him to be curious. Which still did not add comfort. It would be cold comfort to know that he was just eating me because he thought I was a moose. Thanks for the link and comments. Much appreciated. Scott
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