Several years ago I managed to convince a fellow "shutter bug" to accompany me on a camping trip in Yellowstone.
I'd just turned 65, and for a mere ten-bucks, I scored one of those Senior Citizen's life time passes that could
get you into all the national parks for free for the rest of your life. And I wanted to use it.
(Click on image to enlarge)
The following images were taken over the past 5 years - Enjoy.
With a bit of patients, the wolves eventually got used to us hanging around, and
by patients, I mean somewhere between getting that senior pass for $10., and turning 71.
It was the alpha female, (officially #478, aka The White Lady, aka Queen of Hayden Valley) that first skirted the edge of our camp.
She was eventually accompanied by one or more pack mates. They'd stay a few minutes, checking us out, while we snapped pictures,
debating if we should toss hot-dogs (we didn't) and then, for whatever reasons, they's all run off into the darkness.
Pretty sure this is the Alpha male (#712) of the Canyon Pack
Here and there, we managed to get to know other pack members. However most would rather keep their distance.
On April 11, 2017 The White Lady was euthanized by park officials, after she had was found suffering
from a serious gunshot wound.She was one of the most recognizable wolves and sought after by visitors
to view and photograph. She was one of only three white wolves in the park, and had 14 living pups,
At 12 years old, she had lived for more than three times the average lifespan of a wolf in Yellowstone.
"Due to the serious nature of this incident, a reward of up to $5,000 is offered for information leading to the arrest and
conviction of the individual(s) responsible for this criminal act," said Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Dan Wenk.
Click Here for news on the death of White Lady