Winter Wolf

This morning, I was supposed to be on a flight to Montana for my upcoming photo adventure in Yellowstone National Park. However, inclement weather in Dallas (my flight route) postponed my flight until tomorrow morning. So today, I pack, rest, and daydream about all the creative possibilities waiting in Yellowstone. It was in 2023 that I first experienced winter in Yellowstone. To say it was epic is an understatement. That week featured temperatures well below zero every day; snow was abundant. Our group was treated to incredible landscape scenes and even more astonishing wildlife encounters. While in the Hayden Valley, we encountered a pack of wolves howling on a distant ridge to our left. They were communicating with a pair of wolves out of sight on our right-hand side. At one point, the pack's alpha female and male broke away from the pack and began moving diagonally toward the howling to our right. Gambling, we drove up the road where they might cross the road in front of us. They did. The female crossed first and quickly moved up the hill. When the male crossed, he momentarily slowed down to look at us. The power and strength of this winter wolf was evident. The intensity of his gaze even more so. I will never forget this moment.

Photograph What You Feel

Nikon Z9

Nikon 500mm f5.6 PF Lens with FTZ Adaptor

ISO: 400

APT: f8

EXP: 1/3200th of a Second on Gitzo Tripod and BH55 Ballhead with Heart Racing in Complete Awe