My day at the Wolf Conservation Center

Heading to the Wolf Conservation Center (WCC) for a photography session is something I have wanted to do for a long time now. I have visited once before and was eager to come back for a more personal visit. The WCC is a fantastic organization that promotes wolf conservation through education and also is a major part in the reintroduction of wolves to the United States of America. Wolves have roamed this country for many years as a top predator. Only due to our eradication had they been gone for 70+ years. These are amazing animals that should be celebrated and understood, rather then demonized and shunned. The better we know our subjects, the better our images will become. As well as the better it is for both parties to live along side one another.

Not only does the WCC host weekly programs for under 15$ to better educate the public they also offer photography sessions with the ambassador wolves. These wolves are more acquainted with the public, but make no mistake. These are full wolves at heart and command our respect. If we give them our respect then we are only to be rewarded.

I wasn’t sure how to approach presenting the photographs from my trip so I thought I would do it in a portrait series presentation. I can’t wait to go again and you should join me sometime!

To start off our series I present you with the Gray wolves of the WCC:

Lukas

Lukas has a trait that most wolves lose soon after they are pups. When wolves are born they have blue eyes. Lucas however rather then losing those blue eyes has retained them. He is a prime example of what a gray wolf in his prime looks like. Although more hesitant then the other members of his pack. He makes sure to strike a pose you’ll remember.

A tricky part of the photo session was watching out for unnatural items. This is important when it comes to watching your background. All too often we just point and click. We need to keep a thought in the back of our heads constantly reminding us to watch out for whatever doesn’t add to the scene.

Kaila

The female of the pack. She provided the most interesting views. She would make sure to prowl the area in a specific pattern and way that would constantly create new and interesting angles.

If you were there with me and listening to me take photographs you would be quite confused. There were moments where the wolves were in prime positions and I wasn’t taking the photo! Why? you ask. Well the light was all wrong. When photographing contrasting light you’ll need to be extra cautious as to where it is landing. At times the background was lit and not the subject, or only the lower half of the wolf. My goal was to make sure the light lands right on the subjects eye. At worst the face was lit and at best I was able to produce a catch-light in their eyes. An important technique when taking photographs.

Apache

Apache was the real show stopper for the experience. There is nothing like witnessing a wolf howl into the silence. Apache helped to get all the wolves in the area to howl. Not just for the pictures, but to stand and listen was the real treat. I highly recommend you get out there! Even if it is just for the educational visit it’s something you, your kids, your family, and your friends will never forget!

When a wolf howls it reminds me of a singer who pours all their heart into that last note. Apache being the Alpha male must stay strong and assert his dominance to let them know where the pack stands. There are no excuses or bad days. You must always be on your game as a wolf or it just might be your last.

Arctic Wolf: Atka

You may have heard of Atka. Atka is one of the more popular wolves when it comes to visiting the general public. Yes that’s right. They make visits to schools and nature centers as well. All for your educational enjoyment. I don’t know if it is my fascination with the arctic north and the cold, but Atka constantly had my attention.

The icing on the cake was when the sun began to provide the perfect light the whole area errupted in howling.

The wolf pack structure is something that has been admired for hundreds of generations, They have been an evolutionary power house adapting to a myriad of environments and currently fighting for their stance in North America. We can learn a lot from their social nature to look past many differences and collectively work for a better future. Both for ourselves and our animal friends.

As the sun set our day was full. We were treated with the opportunity to take the portrait of our better half. Capturing a moment in time to remember the importance of wolves to our ecosystem. They have single handed restored the Yellowstone ecosystem and are a part of our natural world. Long before we set foot on this planet. Sometimes you walk away from a day of taking photographs and feel empty. Or as if something was missing. However this day, just wasn’t one of those days.

Thank you to the Wolf Conservation Center for all that you do and inviting us in.
For more information please visit their website at www.nywolf.org , their Facebook page, and their events calendar for your next visit!