I know what you are thinking. Am I ever going to show you a decent photo of a wolf. The answer is "sort-of" and "maybe". Today, is the "sort-of". Again I was in Yellowstone Park, this time in Hayden Valley which runs along the Yellowstone River. I saw a hundred or more ravens circling a couple hundred yards from the road. I assumed something was going on. As I reached the closest point from the road I noticed several vehicles parked along the shoulder with no one in sight. I suspected it was going to be a bit of a trek up and over a pretty steep hill. So, with camera and tripod in hand off I trotted. When I got to the top of the hill there were several photographers perched so they could get a good photo. Oh, what was it? It was a fully grown male Grizzly Bear (probably 1200 pounds) eating a Bison that had fallen. I wanted to walk down the other side to get closer, but it just didn't seem like a good idea at the time. After a couple of quick photos, I looked closer there was a Grey Wolf sitting about 75 yards away; waiting his turn. So, a couple more photos. (I was trying to conserve film since I was on my last roll). Then sure enough, after about 45 minutes, the Grizzly Bear ambled away, passing the oncoming Grey Wolf. I was thrilled to get both the Grizzly Bear and the Grey Wolf in the same shot, although from a greater distance than I would have liked. The Wolf ate for about 30 minutes then left. I waited another hour and a half thinking the Wolf might come back with the pack. But, not within that timeframe. I only had a half dozen shots remaining on the roll, so, I decided to head for the nearest "town" (Fishing Bridge) to get more film. By the time I got back to that spot, there were no cars around. So, I figured "nothing more to see." That was probably a rationalization because I didn't want to trek back up that hill with an 8 pound camera and a five pound tripod again just to see a half-eaten bison. Once that day was enough. Of course, thinking back now, I probably should have made the trek, and waited until dark, if necessary, to try to get more photos. Someone (some thing) surely would have come along. It was too big a meal to pass up. Here are the photos:
Grizzly eating Bison
Grey Wolf slowing walking past "full" Grizzly
Grey Wolf now trotting to dinner
Grey Wolf now eating dinner
Grey Wolf checking to see if others are coming
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