p.1 #1 · An Indian near the Indian Creek Trailhead (Yellowstone) in snow - Wolves
Congratulations to bibek for winning Feature Thread of the Week with 3 votes - View Previous Winners
In early 2018, a few friends decided we needed to go grab some bobcats in the Madison river images. We got our snow coach and congregated in West Yellowstone. Even before we got there the social media feeds were resonating with images of the Wapiti Pack going wild around the Madison Junction and hunting down bisons and elks. As luck would have it, we were a couple of days late and could only see the ravens picking off the last morsels from the carcass along the Madison river. Alas, that is wildlife - they do not plan per our schedule. The first two days were spent looking for the elusive bobcat and trying to figure out where the Wapiti pack had been planning their next foray. On these two days we went after the crunchy bison images, observing the behavior of the fishing coyotes of the Madison river, trying to look for the ermine, and some images of the winter landscapes. Suddenly on the third morning our guide greeted us to a warm smile along with the warm oatmeal we were having for breakfast - "your wishes have been answered".
There was a kill close to the Indian Creek Trailhead along the western route between Norris and Mammoth. The day was, however, grey and it was snowing hard. The forecast was for a foot of snow, but who cares, the Bombardier did not, neither did we. My friends from Colorado Springs were prepared for the harsh winter, the Indian living in warm Bay area was barely prepared, other than a bagful of hand warmers. Stupidity on my part to carry my waterproof hiking boots thinking that I will be fine with the two layers of warm woolen socks, and a plastic grocery bag as a moisture barrier between them. Little did I know about the realities of the harsh reality in my favorite place in winter. On getting to the spot, we saw the Elk carcass lying in the red snow, and nothing other than the wolf tracks in sight. Where did they go? There's still a fair bit of meat and the guide mentioned that there was enough on it to "force" the wolves to come back.
We disembarked from the warmth of our coach and positioned ourselves in a snow bank. The camera was on a tripod and was under rain cover, but my poor feet? After just 15 minutes, I was cursing myself for trying to save on the snow boot AND praying that the wolves show up sooner than later. No it did not work again. I pulled the hand warmers out of the packs and shoved them in to my layered socks. Ah! It worked and started to melt the snow around my boot or at least ensured that my feet were still warm. After about an hours wait, someone whispered "there they are on the other side of the road". Sure enough the Wapiti Pack in all its glory was on the other side in the pine forest curiously looking at the handful of long lenses focused on them. Totally oblivious, they slowly trekked across the road, a few at a time, went over to the carcass and feasted on their kill. The best 7 hours of my life in harsh weather so far, will do this over and over again.
Yellowstone, Feb 2018
Happy New Year folks.. Wishing you and yours a very Happy 2020.
Oh those ruffians!
Someone needs to pioneer the crossing
All the adults were cautious, given that there were a few juveniles around
Another Curious and cautious set of eyes
Now this guy expressed the emotions of the pack
Waited for this black beauty for an hour lying on the road.
Lying in the snow for an hour is the least I can do for such sights.
p.1 #8 · An Indian near the Indian Creek Trailhead (Yellowstone) in snow - Wolves
If I was there, Bibek, I have died and would have gone to heaven (wildlife photographer's heaven,that is). What a find. lovely series and a big vote from me.
p.1 #12 · An Indian near the Indian Creek Trailhead (Yellowstone) in snow - Wolves
kdacharya wrote:
If I was there, Bibek, I have died and would have gone to heaven (wildlife photographer's heaven,that is). What a find. lovely series and a big vote from me.
