Crossing Paths

Sometimes you happen to be in the right place at the right time. Such is the case with two photos of animals which normally don't get along and aren't seen together.

First up, Bighorn Sheep and Elk. Now this isn't a great photo. But, I honestly don't know how I could have captured these two herds which were on the side of Clemon Mountain (25 miles northeast of Yakima, Washington along the Naches River).  They were at least 400 yards away from me. But if I was any closer I would not have be able to get both herds in the photo

Bighorn Sheep and Elk Herds

In the following photo a fully grown male Grizzly Bear,weighing probably 1000 pounds or more was feasting on a buffalo. The Gray Wolf was patiently sitting about 75 yards away. As soon as the Grizzly Bear stopped eating and started walking away, the Wolf got up and started walking toward the buffalo. It provided me the opportunity for the perfect photo, Bear and Wolf together.

Gray Wolf and Grizzly Bear

Predators with Their Prey

Life of the predator is not easy. Often unsuccessful, they keep trying until they capture their food. I have seen Coyotes gang up on a rabbit without success. I have seen Bobcats chase after rabbits without success. But, often enough they succeed. Here are a few photos:

American Marten with Squirrel

Bobcat with Desert Cottontail

Coyote with some Carcass

Gray Wolf with Bison Carcass

Grizzly Bears with Elk

Northern River Otter with Salmon

CARNIVORES: Wolves

I have several "Wolf Stories", but unfortunately, most without photos. The first Gray Wolf photo I took was when I was transitioning from avid "flyfisherman" to wildlife photographer. It was 1996. One of my favorite lakes was Ernst Lake in British Columbia southeast of Kamloops. It is a "trophy" lake, with minimum 24 inch (three pound) trout. Its access is rough, so a 4x4 with high clearance is required. Although not required -- well sometimes required -- a winch makes the journey less worrisome. As I am getting to the lake I see a Gray (Timber) Wolf standing in the road about 40 yards ahead of me. I grabbed my new Minolta APS camera and took a photo through the windshield. Then got out of the truck to get a better photo. But, the Wolf "hopped", yes "hopped" into the woods and out of sight. So, I got back in the truck to drive to the spot I was going to camp. As I did, the Wolf "hopped" back into the center of the road. So, out of the truck to try to get a better photo. I did get a couple of photos before he "hopped" back into the woods. I stood waiting to see what would happen, and then heard and saw parts of what looked like four or five wolves running away. Guess the one I saw was the "scout" -- maybe Alpha. I kept the photos for years, but can't seem to find any of them now. They didn't turn out very well. I had the wrong film in the camera for shooting in the deep forest with very little light. I saw another wolf in that same general area the following year, but only got his "backside" as he was running away from me. Can't find that photo either.

Addendum 12/4/10:

In searching through an old photo album I found the photo of the Grey Wolf at Ernst Lake:

Not a very good photo, but there he is on the "road".