Timber wolves, and others to follow.

[GrahamH]

Camera club had an outing to a wildlife centre yesterday (processing went quickly).
We went into the cages with the critters (which are not able to be released into the wild for a range of reasons).

So, here are a couple of shots I managed to get (other critters to follow as I get the processing done).
What a great experience. I can certainly recommend it to anyone.
The actual centre was the Muskoka Wildlife Centre, about 1.5 hours out of Toronto (Canada).
Graham

Timber wolves

[Dizzy]

Graham, I think those are both beautiful shots, and they capture the essence
of the the pairs personalities.

It's just a little thing, but in image 1 there is a small black thing hanging under
the chin of the right wolf. Can't tell what it is, but it hangs under the "ice whiskers",
and for some reason it really caught my attention when at full-size.

[jeeperman]

Nice Graham, I agree with Mike.

[Bobobird]

Wow - I must get down there.
Ontario does not have wolves so this will be closest we will get to one.

"in the cage" wow!

[PBelarge]

Graham
Be careful, wolves are smart. These two are lolling you into a sense of cutsie comfort. The second image is them feeling like they are just about to get a meal and they are actually licking their lips in anticipation....JK LOL!

I really like how you saw the moment and were able to capture the feeling. It is not the typical image of a wolf most have in their minds.

[GrahamH]

Thanks al.
Mike, I checked the full image, it's another larger ice crystal that's catching the light badly. I agree, a shave is going to happen.

Bobo, check this link.http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business...02_163450.html.
Up at Algonquin they have evenings that you can partake in a wolf howl and have the local wolves howl back. Although seeing wolves in the wild may be a little too close for comfort for me.
As for getting in the cage with them? Wow, so cool. The handler kept calling out info about their behaviour (the wolves not the handlers ) and said that them getting together like that was not a common action.. I was lucky enough to be shooting parallel to the fence so it isn't in shot too much - had to blur the background to minimise what there was).

Pierre - I was fine. I was one of the fittest and fastest, so that means I could have outrun other victims to give me more time .

Although I was at the end of the male wolf's track, I was snapping at the female, looked up and the male was within a metre of me, eyeballing me. A little unnerving the first time.

All in all a great experience. I want to go again.

Graham

[GrahamH]

And here's a couple more of the wolves (does this mean I have a full pack?).
Graham

[Donald]

Definitely a 'I can taste thigh-of-photographer' look.

[PBelarge]

Pierre - I was fine. I was one of the fittest and fastest, so that means I could have outrun other victims to give me more time .


All in all a great experience. I want to go again.

Graham

Graham
A great plan. BTW - you could always trip someone , Darwin would be proud of you! LOL!

[acsky]

Graham

Your shot on comment #7 is just beautiful ! I'd like to have one like that myself. Wolves are amazing creatures.

Toño

[GrahamH]

Thanks Tono.
I loved the candid snaggletooth shot as variety.
But the first one of that pair is classic.

For what it's worth, all of these shots have had the eyes lightened (and saturated) to make them pop. Compared to the originals, it really makes a difference, a much improved connection.

Graham

[mstrozewski]

beautiful! can't wait to see more!

[Jack R Mann]

Awsome pick's,
we do have some around where i live been trying to find them,but no luck yet.

[jamn4ex]

I love these Graham, Thanks for sharing!

[GrahamH]

Thanks for the encouragement Mavourneen, James and Jack.
One more wolf (the rest are pretty much more of the same). But the encouragement has been great to get me to do the post processing.
And then onto other critters. Fox next, beautiful colours.

Graham

[GrahamH]

And as promised the Fox (and the link is http://www.muskokawildlifecentre.com...r/?animalid=15).
Absolutely gorgeous colours.
Apparently it is usually fairly skittish, but on the day behaved great and posed well.

Graham

[jeeperman]

Cute little guy, great addition to a nice series Graham.

[rpcrowe]

Beautiful shots! I love wolves, they are beautiful and very misunderstood creatures.

I once had a German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Wolf hybrid and she was the most remarkable animal I ever knew. She was 85 pounds, had long wolf legs and was extremely gentle but, exceptionally protective of my wife and of our little Maltese...

[Bobobird]

Thanks for the info Graham.

The additional pics just make me want to go yesterday like.... WOW.

One year down in SF was taking in the evening street sights and came across a guy in a cowboy hat with a HUGE animal on a leash. They crossed the street into a supermarket and I followed wondering what that HUGE animal was. He tied him to a post outside the shop and I inspected him from all angles and still could not figure out what animal he was - wolf for sure but surely could not be - so tame????

So waited for the guy to come out and walked along with him and asked and nearly floored me with his - "Yup, that is a wolf". We walked and chatted awhile and came across a beggar - "WOLF" he shouted and started running away. That was hilarious.

The wolf? Not one peek. We said bye-byes patted wolf on the head and he liked my hand in return. Went back to the hotel, told my wife and to this day she still thinks I made it up.

Wish I had a camera back then.

[Shadowman]

From the title I thought you were suggesting we should follow wolves and photograph them. Nice images.