Adventures from Behind the Glass

Gray Wolf in Snow, West Yellowstone, MT 2010

…Shake it off.

Wolf Shake, West Yellowstone, MT 2010

For those of my International readers  just coming off their Winter Season, it is time to shake off all that snow and welcome the Spring weather and all it’s possibilities.

In keeping with my series: Of the Wild, I include two images of Gray Wolves photographed in West Yellowstone, Montana. Situated at the western entrance to Yellowstone National Park (http://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm), West Yellowstone features an outstanding refuge for Gray Wolves and Grizzly Bears. Many of these animals were originally re-introduced into the park, but for various reasons, did not flourish therein and by agreement with the US Fish & Wildlife Service, they now reside in this AZA accredited facility directly outside the Park.

In order to capture such intimate, close-up portraits of animals, I utilize a 400mm Canon L lens on my trusty Canon 50D. A solid tripod is mandatory with a long lens because these portraits are eventually enlarged for Gallery Exhibition and they need to be perfectly sharp under glass and gallery lights. Although the eyes are usually the main focus, I seek to show intense detail throughout the animal’s features, something that has become my signature style and greatly appreciated by gallery patrons and collectors.

I have been told by many very knowledgeable individuals in the photography world that my animal portraits are unique to the industry in how they capture the soul of my subjects.