The Old Man

Gallery: WildlifePosted February 22, 2012626 views11 comments

This is the alpha male of Yellowstone's Canyon Pack, another of the wolves that came very close to a roadside kill on New Year's Eve, offering plenty of good photo ops for the photographers that were present.

This wolf is named 712M, meaning he has a radio collar. Thankfully, it's not really visible in this shot. I first saw this wolf in May of 2008, when he was nearly all black. Since then he's become quite a bit more grizzled, making me wonder if I'll have another chance to photograph him. This is a heavy crop, so while an "environmental" shot was possible, I preferred the closer view of him, even if some of the finer details were lost.

Canon 7D
Canon 500mm f/4 IS + 1.4x TC
ISO 200
1/1000th
f/6.3
-1/3 exp. comp.

Max

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on February 22, 2012 at 2:45 PM

Nice image of this wolf. I do wish his left side was not quite so dark. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Cam Held on February 22, 2012 at 3:00 PM

I agree with John that I wish his side was lighter, but is good as is!

Registered on November 12, 2009, 59 Posts, 398 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on February 22, 2012 at 3:03 PM

looks like a super wolf...I like the low angle here Max - though I do feel you lost some IQ with the cropping, and I personally wouldn't mind seeing the "wider view"...

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Reed on February 22, 2012 at 3:24 PM

The close view without the collar is nice. An homage to this old guy who should not have a collar.

Registered on September 19, 2009, 198 Posts, 1074 Comments

Comment posted by Joe James on February 22, 2012 at 10:49 PM

Nice to see this old guy on here Max! Everyone enjoys his mate so much we don't see many of 712M posted even though he's a magnificent black wolf. I love the silver tips they get as they age, reminds me of 21M. I agree with you, I like the closer crop even though it does introduce some loss of quality. Well done!

Registered on November 20, 2009, 89 Posts, 808 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on February 23, 2012 at 12:03 AM

At this size the detail looks decent in the face. I am most intrigued by the black turning to silver which indeed gives him a sense of maturity. Exposure looks very good in the whites and the shadows.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on February 23, 2012 at 4:06 AM

A handsome fellow he is.... I like the way it seems all four feet are perfectly aligned. The side light works well in this photo in my opinion.
Another excellent wolf photo Max

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by James Campbell on February 23, 2012 at 6:56 AM

A beautiful image Max, his posture and the low angle work really well and for me the detail in the light and shadows is perfect. Overall - excellent

Registered on January 12, 2009, 48 Posts, 377 Comments

Comment posted by Ralph Kerr on February 23, 2012 at 12:56 PM

Max, thanks for posting this picture. I have a picture of him in 2008 (I think), the year the Canyon Pack formed. It hangs in my office and I enjoy it every day. I just appreciate seeing a current close up and know he is still kicking.
No technical comments from me this time. Just enjoying a little "nostalgia."

Registered on January 30, 2007, 369 Posts, 852 Comments

Comment posted by Jess Lee on February 28, 2012 at 11:23 AM

Sure thing Max you could have put a reflector up there

Seriously nice job. He was still around last week. Like you I hope he makes it till summer when the packs are not as concentrated as they are right now. It makes this a dangerous time for the pups and senior citizens.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 114 Posts, 929 Comments

Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on April 14, 2012 at 9:47 PM

Awesome image, Max! Nice detail in the wolf. I love the look of him coming right at you!

Registered on February 8, 2011, 254 Posts, 1302 Comments