It was exactly one year ago that I had my first experience photographing wolves, up close and personal. I was not lucky enough to just "happen" upon them, but I am fortunate enough to live within driving distance of a wolf preserve!

I was especially set on getting winter photographs... wolves are, to me, one of the most beautiful creatures on earth, and to add them into a winter setting, I thought was a perfect scenario.

However, with winter comes it's own set of problems... first and foremost, the preserve was having so much snow that they could not get open. My appointment to go and photograph their wolves was cancelled and rescheduled four times! I was thinking I would not get my pictures in the snow, but there was nothing I could do.

Finally, a year ago today.... we were lucky. There was still a lot of snow on the ground, but they were able to open up partial access. At this point, partial was better than nothing. Partial also meant quite of bit of extra walking in deep snow... okay... I'm good with that... and carrying my equipment... okay... though that limited what I could take up to where the wolves were, but, okay... let's go!!

I had a full tank of gas in the truck, a cup of hot tea, and some snacks. I was dressed in several layers, hiking/waterproof boots, backpack for camera gear... and I had 4 extra memory cards, besides the one already in the camera... should be good for one hour..I brought 2 cameras and about 7 different lenses..... ready to go!!

I was so excited driving up to the preserve that morning... it was a couple of hours to get there, watching the sun rise as I drove... always a beautiful sight... and the scenery is breathtaking... there are parts of New Jersey that are so unbelievably beautiful, and so often overlooked...

As we hiked to the area with the enclosures, my excitement was growing!! I was like a kid going to the candy store!! Butterflies in my stomach, an permanent smile on my face. At this point, I wasn't even feeling the below freezing temperatures, I was too excited. As we drew closer, and I spotted the first pack of wolves, I was awestruck!! I have never seen one other than in photographs, books, and online ( I had seen a coyote out west once, and one in Alaska,  but)... WOW... they are so incredibly beautiful, and powerful... and yet, quite dog like!! These are wild animals, but, living on the preserve, they are quite used to people. Not that I would just walk into the enclosure, but, then again, I probably would... I have been known to do some things for a shot that I probably shouldn't have... but, back to the wolves...

At first, I couldn't even concentrate on taking pictures... I was just enjoying watching them... the way they interacted with each other, the way they "eyed" us.. there was only me, and one other photographer, and the guide... so it was a great experience... we had lots of space, opportunity, and pretty much a private guided tour... it was fantastic!!

I finally managed to focus on getting some shots, (about 300 or so, after editing).... and I had quite a few favorites! There is a folder here on my website with many of them in it. However, I just recently added more... after a year, I went back and revisited that folder of images, and found many more that I had overlooked! Or, absence makes the heart grow fonder.... When I first edit a batch of pictures, I am so critical of my work. Let some time go by, and I am much more appreciative of the images!!

There were several different areas to the preserve, each containing different types of wolves. Not all were accessible, but we managed to get close enough to see all of them. Each wolf species so beautiful... the Gray wolves (or Timber wolves), were the ones I had expected to see... but there was also Arctic wolves, and British Columbia wolves... each majestic in their own way..

These wolves all reside, along with bobcats and foxes at the Lakota Wolf Preserve. Basically funded by tours and donations, the couple that own/run it have quite a job at hand. You don't realize how much work is involved. If you are interested in learning more about the preserve, you can visit them here...http://www.lakotawolf.com/

Revisiting those pictures brought me right back to that day last February 17th... and reminded me of the great opportunity it had been. I can't wait to see what the next adventure brings!! There's always one around the corner if you look for it!!