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Archive 2019 · Surprise wolf encounter

hobbes382
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Surprise wolf encounter

Congratulations to hobbes382 for winning Feature Thread of the Week with 15 votes - View Previous Winners

This is one of the things that I love about wildlife photography... you never know what's going to happen. And sometimes you see some amazing and beautiful things.

These were all shot with a Canon 7d mk2, Canon 500 f/4 mk2, a few bare, most with the Canon 1.4x teleconverter and some with the 2x teleconverter.

Very early one morning back in May I was in Yellowstone. I passed Tower Junction and was on Northeast Entrance Road headed toward Lamar Valley. I hadn't even gotten to Slough Creek yet when I notice several bison with calves grazing near a small alpine lake. There were reflections in the water and mountains in the background. I thought it looked kind of nice. So I pulled off the road, grabbed my camera and walked a ways down to get closer to the lake. I found a nice big boulder to sit down, lean against, and partially conceal me. It was still a bit too dark but it was quiet, nice, and serene. I thought to myself that looking for wolves can wait or I'd try them again the next day if this dragged out. So I just sat there for a while, all by myself, enjoying the setting, waiting for a bit more light, and playing with the camera.

Still a bit too dark. But a calf approaches the water.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-bMPmQWv/1/4639d7c8/X2/i-bMPmQWv-X2.jpg

About 20 minutes after I sat down, I'm startled as an elk bolts by. What the heck?
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-FcbQb2S/0/9e54e052/X2/i-FcbQb2S-X2.jpg

I turn a little more to see what it might be running from. I'm dumbfounded to see a wolf trotting by not too far from where I'm sitting.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-vmtKPN6/0/584c65ca/X2/i-vmtKPN6-X2.jpg

The wolf ignores me and trots straight into the lake.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-57BLH4s/0/77885e2d/X2/i-57BLH4s-X2.jpg

The wolf takes a drink and then turns to look toward the bison with their calves.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-XFNdbsm/0/2519e863/X2/i-XFNdbsm-X2.jpg

The wolf swings wide of the bison and starts to climb the hill behind them...
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-gqhjVZP/0/27a1f0e1/X2/i-gqhjVZP-X2.jpg

but then it turns back and pauses.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-zgrHvRV/0/62d120bb/X2/i-zgrHvRV-X2.jpg

In that moment I turn to quickly check my surroundings and I'm floored by a second wolf moving by me. Now my adrenaline is really pumping.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-8B5mVwR/0/85997b4c/X2/i-8B5mVwR-X2.jpg

Suddenly I wonder if the entire pack is here! I look all around but only see these two wolves at the moment. The second wolf trots right up to a mother bison, and stands there looking at her calf.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-d3W2mSk/1/f14d29b1/X2/i-d3W2mSk-X2.jpg

My mind quickly runs through multiple scenarios of what might happen. Then the wolf made a quick move but the mother bison made just as quick of a move to protect her baby. The 2x converter is on now and it's still a bit dark; I couldn't help the blur.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-227FKsc/1/db7b25b5/X2/i-227FKsc-X2.jpg

Mom turns back to check her baby as the wolf looks on from behind.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-F8n9mnR/1/5f7ee097/X2/i-F8n9mnR-X2.jpg

The wolf thinks better of the situation and retreats.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-4nRcNc8/0/2ca407dc/X2/i-4nRcNc8-X2.jpg

In the meantime, the first wolf has picked up a shadow. A coyote is trailing it.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-PTGS8HR/0/4c19b5f5/X2/i-PTGS8HR-X2.jpg

And the coyote is clearly extremely upset with the wolf's presence and is howling up a storm.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-WLMn3VW/0/ef2a2b83/X2/i-WLMn3VW-X2.jpg

As the two wolves come back together, the second wolf is seen to have picked up a shadow of his own; a second coyote. And this one too is making a howling racket.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-C9wns92/0/c3a82003/X2/i-C9wns92-X2.jpg

The second coyote seems to be moving in on the wolves. This just gets more and more interesting.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-Gz8xf42/0/754c53ff/X2/i-Gz8xf42-X2.jpg

The second coyote moves back but continues to howl at the wolves.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-xrh2cfw/0/f8c3264d/X2/i-xrh2cfw-X2.jpg

Amazingly, the two coyotes seem to be coordinating an attack on the wolves. I wonder if they have a den nearby and are trying to defend it.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-wWmWwPw/0/ce906ece/X2/i-wWmWwPw-X2.jpg

As the wolves start to separate, one of the coyotes comes in closer and gets more aggressive.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-BVqBgxr/0/d781bf08/X2/i-BVqBgxr-X2.jpg

Both coyotes surround one wolf and howl in unison.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-sxxdST2/0/c01d5280/X2/i-sxxdST2-X2.jpg

That's when one of the coyotes suddenly moves in behind the wolf while the other watches.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-x46LBfb/0/ee35ac14/X2/i-x46LBfb-X2.jpg

The bold coyote actually tries to bite the rear end of the wolf.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-GBwtFsC/0/529600d0/X2/i-GBwtFsC-X2.jpg

This can't be tolerated. The wolf immediately turns on the coyote but the first coyote stands its ground as the second makes its escape.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-pJtNHFL/0/d50aea65/X2/i-pJtNHFL-X2.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-qhXx8qC/0/6eb73916/X2/i-qhXx8qC-X2.jpg

The wolves continue about their business and slowly move away from the coyotes.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-JsjfvhN/0/be3ff23d/X2/i-JsjfvhN-X2.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-QBN2LLs/1/57ca6a70/X2/i-QBN2LLs-X2.jpg

The coyotes are relentless. They continue to howl up a storm that echos through the valley as they keep pushing the wolves away.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-rDGLNXK/0/ee0aa858/X2/i-rDGLNXK-X2.jpg

One of the wolves crosses in front.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-BwvxdNF/0/f5d70676/X2/i-BwvxdNF-X2.jpg

The coyotes watch the wolves leave from a nearby hilltop.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-BKBc5Mx/0/dce5b091/X2/i-BKBc5Mx-X2.jpg

The coyotes proclaim their victory.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-VJgMGpr/0/bfb50dab/X2/i-VJgMGpr-X2.jpg

As the wolves just about disappear, a third coyote joins the first pair on the hilltop.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-2vRgJz2/0/a80b6331/X2/i-2vRgJz2-X2.jpg

The coyotes finally start to relax.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-ppMnLkH/1/09af2401/X2/i-ppMnLkH-X2.jpg

At last the wolves are gone. There is just one more interloper that does not escape the attention of the coyotes... me.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-39F2sH4/1/91bbb730/X2/i-39F2sH4-X2.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-P9vx3dd/0/e7ae7eb6/X2/i-P9vx3dd-X2.jpg

Time to leave them be, walk back to the car and continue with the original plan.
It's not quite 7:30am and I still have the whole day ahead of me. How cool is that!

Cheers,
Hobbes

Jul 06, 2019 at 05:15 PM

mogul
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Surprise wolf encounter

Outstanding

Jul 06, 2019 at 05:23 PM

G.E. Smith
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Surprise wolf encounter

Hobbes,

Fantastic photography and what an event to witness. Great detailed description with each image. I felt as if I was there watching it myself. Talk about being in the right place at the right time ! Great job and thank you for sharing these. I know exactly where you were at. So cool that you saw this happening right in front of you.
I'm thrilled for you, great job! Wolves and Coyotes !!!!

Greg

Jul 06, 2019 at 05:40 PM

dclark
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Surprise wolf encounter

"How cool is that!"
Very very cool!
Terrific set of images that tell an interesting story. Sometimes the best plan is to sit down, wait, and watch.

Dave

Jul 06, 2019 at 05:43 PM

Bobg657
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Surprise wolf encounter

Wow, amazing sequence of events, it makes the cold and wet times worth it!

Thanks for sharing,
BOB

Jul 06, 2019 at 05:47 PM

morris
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Surprise wolf encounter

Great documentary work Hobbes. It must have been incredibly exciting to see live.

Morris

Jul 06, 2019 at 06:01 PM

eyelaser
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Surprise wolf encounter

Story telling at its best!!
Eric

Jul 06, 2019 at 06:02 PM

Colin F
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Surprise wolf encounter

A good display of how tough life is for most critters.

Jul 06, 2019 at 06:48 PM

dallvr
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Surprise wolf encounter

Amazing encounter! I'm so glad you had your cameras with you so you could share these photos with us!

Jul 06, 2019 at 07:26 PM

birdied
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Surprise wolf encounter

Oh wow !!! I was totally enthralled viewing the shots and reading the captions. I can only image how thrilling and amazing it was to witness these events. Wonderful set.

Birdie

Jul 06, 2019 at 07:33 PM

armd
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Surprise wolf encounter

Crazy story. With so many apex predators around I hope you had a backup and I don’t mean a camera.

Jul 06, 2019 at 08:59 PM

jeffdjohnston
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Surprise wolf encounter

Nice work!

Judging from the coyotes' behavior, you're probably right to assume they were protecting a den. May is a good time to see them bringing food to the youngsters and there are adults who aren't the parents who watch over the pups while mom and dad are out hunting. May and early June are some of the best times to go to Yellowstone in my book. Bison, elk and coyotes are raising young and apex predators like wolves and bears are looking for the easier prey that the young animals provide.

Jul 06, 2019 at 11:01 PM

hobbes382
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Surprise wolf encounter

mogul wrote:
Outstanding

Thanks!
---------------------------------------------

G.E. Smith wrote:
Hobbes,

Fantastic photography and what an event to witness. Great detailed description with each image. I felt as if I was there watching it myself. Talk about being in the right place at the right time ! Great job and thank you for sharing these. I know exactly where you were at. So cool that you saw this happening right in front of you.
I'm thrilled for you, great job! Wolves and Coyotes !!!!

Greg

Thanks Gregory! I had planned on looking for wolves that morning but got side tracked by the bison. As it turned out, it was hands down the best wolf sighting I had all week!
---------------------------------------------

dclark wrote:
"How cool is that!"
Very very cool!
Terrific set of images that tell an interesting story. Sometimes the best plan is to sit down, wait, and watch.

Dave

Thanks Dave. I find that's when I most often get the most interesting sightings. Sit quietly and just watch. Patience pays!
---------------------------------------------

Bobg657 wrote:
Wow, amazing sequence of events, it makes the cold and wet times worth it!

Thanks for sharing,
BOB

Thanks Bob. You got. The majority of time is spent hiking, tracking, searching, ... But when things like this happen, it makes it all worth it.
---------------------------------------------

morris wrote:
Great documentary work Hobbes. It must have been incredibly exciting to see live.

Morris

Thanks Morris! I was in disbelief the entire time. And worrying about low light, high ISO, and slow shutter speeds.
---------------------------------------------

eyelaser wrote:
Story telling at its best!!
Eric

Thanks Eric!
---------------------------------------------

Colin F wrote:
A good display of how tough life is for most critters.

Yes... everything has it pretty tough most of the time.
---------------------------------------------

dallvr wrote:
Amazing encounter! I'm so glad you had your cameras with you so you could share these photos with us!

Thanks.
---------------------------------------------

birdied wrote:
Oh wow !!! I was totally enthralled viewing the shots and reading the captions. I can only image how thrilling and amazing it was to witness these events. Wonderful set.

Birdie

Thanks Birdie!
---------------------------------------------

armd wrote:
Crazy story. With so many apex predators around I hope you had a backup and I don’t mean a camera.

There was a short time there when I thought the entire pack might show up.
---------------------------------------------

jeffdjohnston wrote:
Nice work!

Judging from the coyotes' behavior, you're probably right to assume they were protecting a den. May is a good time to see them bringing food to the youngsters and there are adults who aren't the parents who watch over the pups while mom and dad are out hunting. May and early June are some of the best times to go to Yellowstone in my book. Bison, elk and coyotes are raising young and apex predators like wolves and bears are looking for the easier prey that the young animals provide.

Thanks Jeff.

Jul 07, 2019 at 10:13 AM

hobbes382
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Surprise wolf encounter

If there are any hard core Yellowstone wolf watchers here, I'd be curious to know if you can identify the pack that these two wolves belong to based on their coat markings. Based on the area that I saw them, my best guess is the Junction Butte Pack.

Thanks.

Cheers,
Hobbes

Jul 07, 2019 at 10:15 AM

saaketham
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Surprise wolf encounter

Now that's a heck of a post !!!!

Jul 07, 2019 at 10:17 AM

KCollett
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Surprise wolf encounter

That was très cool, Hobbes. What a day, and it had only just begun.

Jul 07, 2019 at 01:23 PM

Robert Mustell
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Surprise wolf encounter

My heart is beating harder and some adrenaline is pumping just seeing your photos.

Those brief moments where we have the opportunity to see raw nature in action are an awesome privilege that is so fleeting. They make all the other effort worthwhile.

Jul 07, 2019 at 02:06 PM

bibek
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Surprise wolf encounter

Hobbes,

Thanks a lot for sharing this incredible encounter.

Jul 07, 2019 at 03:39 PM

surfnron
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Surprise wolf encounter

Wow! What a great start to the day. Great set too ~ Ron

Jul 07, 2019 at 09:12 PM

douter
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Surprise wolf encounter

Great set Hobbes what a great opportunity you had to view this activity live. Thank you for sharing this behavioural encounter with us here.
Douglas

Jul 08, 2019 at 09:59 AM

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