Out in the western part of New Jersey by the Delaware Water Gap is a wolf preserve named Lakota. The wolves are all captive here, and are enclosed in double chain link fencing. The privately owned preserve offers wolf watch tours, but it also offers a more intimate tour for photography. The two hour photo tour allows for numerous photo/video ops with the different individuals in three different packs. There are British Columbia, Arctic and Timber wolves here. They also have bobcats and foxes, but they are not shown in the photo tour. After rescheduling the advanced date tour once because of rain, I decided to go for it anyhow on a rescheduled drizzly day as their full coat season is ending soon. I carried my tripod/wimberley around just to attach an umbrella too, which I used to mount the gear to as well. Unfortunately as we moved to different portals to shoot from and to different pack's fencing, I had to fold up the umbrella which would get my gear wet anyways. My other challenge was that the open umbrella would keep my lens a few feet from the portal opening, so if i was following an animal as it approached I eventually would be shooting through the chain link fence rather than the opening, which is covered by the chain link fencing cut in rectangular 1' x 3' sizes or 12 inch round or square when closed. I constantly was drying off my gear, but the trip was well worth it and I will certainly go again. I will try for snow next time. Unfortunately, when it snowed this year, the snow never stayed on the ground long enough to get them in it at least for me. The wolves are literally inches away through the fence. All shots were with the 1dx2 and 70-200 f2.8 II. I brought a 300 f2.8 but never had use for it. Considering the various challenges during this shoot, I felt I fared very well. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed taking the shots.
You did quite well Herb even with the challenges. I've had the preserve on my posible visit list for a long time. Seeing the type of photos you got it's more tempting now.
Nice assortment of wolf portraits, Herb! Whoda thunk there's an opportunity to shoot these on the East coast?? I think the lighting and settings really add value to these and I love the intensity you captured in their eyes.
Years ago we had a dog who was part coyote. We could start with a few notes and get her to howl or she'd often join in / respond when she heard coyotes out in the wild. Since time with her, I've always relished that wild call.
Wonderful photo work. I think the wet conditions actually add to the impact of the photos. Love the video clips. If I lived on the east coast I would be a regular at this place.
These are really nice. I especially enjoyed the last one (#12). They are amazing animals with an incredible look in their eyes. Well done. Thanks for posting.
morris wrote:
You did quite well Herb even with the challenges. I've had the preserve on my posible visit list for a long time. Seeing the type of photos you got it's more tempting now.
Morris
Thanks for the comments Morris. I've been meaning to do this trip for awhile, even though they're all captive.
My other challenge was that the open umbrella would keep my lens a few feet from the portal opening, so if i was following an animal as it approached I eventually would be shooting through the chain link fence rather than the opening, which is covered by the chain link fencing cut in rectangular 1' x 3' sizes or 12 inch round or square when closed. I constantly was drying off my gear, but the trip was well worth it and I will certainly go again. I will try for snow next time. Unfortunately, when it snowed this year, the snow never stayed on the ground long enough to get them in it at least for me. The wolves are literally inches away through the fence. All shots were with the 1dx2 and 70-200 f2.8 II. I brought a 300 f2.8 but never had use for it. Considering the various challenges during this shoot, I felt I fared very well. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed taking the shots. 
