This is the collector's print for winter 2006. To view the collector's prints for the other seasons, click here.

Single Wolf in Snowfall ~ Field Notes

"Day 1 – It was snowing heavily as I reached the lake. The whole pack of wolves was on the ice, still unaware of me as I stood out of sight in a small group of birch trees on the shore. Some stayed for a bit, then they all left with one lone wolf still lingering behind. Every wolf pack seems to have a member that doesn’t quite belong. I have often watched this two-year-old male hang back a safe distance from the more dominant, and sometimes punishing pack mates. When I stepped out from the trees to have a better view, he turned to look – I made the shot. This image gives me a real sense of wilderness. This is my favorite kind of weather in which to photograph this wild land.
Just after the sunset I saw Blackie, the pack’s designated babysitter of the pups from the previous spring. She sat at the far end of the lake to watch me from 3/4 mile away. It is nearly impossible to go unnoticed when in the vicinity of a wolf pack. One of the gray pups is to the left of her. I waited quietly for darkness to go back home so I wouldn’t overly frighten the wolves. This is my way to show respect and gain just a little trust from this naturally suspicious pack. Over the years it has added up and has made just the difference. A few extra seconds of the pack’s patience with me can make the difference so I am able to capture that occasional “keeper” photograph. I have found that it’s not always that “close-up” portrait of the animal that makes the best statement…. And then, I am often surprised that my loud farts don’t scare my wolf friends away forever – even from nearly a mile away. Alas, even my wife Judy has tried to leave home several times after one those powerful but very relieving bouts!

Day 2 – I returned the next morning to watch for the day in my blind on the cliff overlooking the place I call Beaver Valley. I stopped by the lake first and to my surprise, the pack was there again. I’ve never been so close to the pack without them seeing me or knowing I was there. They were howling and the ravens were teasing them so they didn’t hear or see me in my camouflage coat. The wind was also to my advantage. I wasn’t quite prepared but I managed a couple of images anyway as they passed by me on their way to Beaver Valley, an area where they feel very comfortable and spend a lot of time sleeping. The shots of them moving through the snow-covered trees are some of my favorites I’ve shot in years. You’ll see more of this in my upcoming movie.
I’m heading out to the lake again today, the wolves are in the peak of the mating season now in this third week of February and I’m hoping to film some courtship behavior. It was exactly a year ago that I saw the alpha pair mating in Beaver Valley. Every time I go out to be with the wolves, I’m afraid to see if any of the pack members are missing, the pack has come to be like a family to me. " - Jim Brandenburg