Wolves in a snowy landscape are the main subject to photograph in my winter Yellowstone Photo Tour. So, every effort is made to locate and get into a position to capture some images of these amazing creatures. This was the case last week while leading a tour in the interior of Yellowstone National Park.

The park is closed to the public during winter due to the snowy winter conditions. So, in order to gain access to the interior, we get special permits and also hire a snow coach. The snow coaches are huge monster-truck-like vehicles with massive 46-inch tires and four-wheel drive. This is what is needed to navigate the snowy back country and get out alive. Even with these gigantic vehicles, we have got stuck in the past.

Each morning would start early in the dark. A quick breakfast and putting on at least three layers of winter clothing before heading out to the snow coaches. We load up with all our photo gear and lunches and water for the day. For many days we had been tracking the wolves. We would see their tracks in the snow as the wolves moved around during the night. Each day we would pick up their trail again.

We would make predictions as to where we thought they would go. What mountain would they cross or which mountain valley would they enter. We looked around where the bison were gathered because in the dead of winter, the Bison are the only prey animals that remain, and the wolves need to eat. All other prey such as deer and elk have migrated down to lower elevations where there is less snow.

After many long days of finding absolutely nothing, we found some fresh wolf tracks. By the fresh tracks in the snow, I could clearly see 4 adult wolves had passed within the past four to six hours. This was definitely a good sign. We spent the rest of the day on high alert in anticipation of seeing the wolves, but nothing transpired.

The next morning, right after breakfast, we loaded up and took off on the snow coaches in the dark. An hour and a half later we finally got back to the area where we saw the tracks. The sun was just peaking over the horizon, and the air temperatures were well below zero. The conditions looked perfect but where were the wolves? Nothing!

Of course, we were all very disappointed because we had all envisioned a great encounter with a pack of wolves. The kind of encounter that we all dream about, but nothing transpired. We decided to push further into the park, but leaving the place that we thought would hold wolves behind was hard to do.

Several miles further into the interior, we slowed down because the snow coach had to plow its way up a small hill which put the sun right in our eyes. It was difficult to see. Shading the sun from my eyes, I could make out some dark figures ahead of us. It took just a micro-second later and I could make out the outline of several black wolves. I shouted “Wolves!”.

My small group jumped to attention and readied their camera gear. The snow coach made its way to the top of the hill and stopped. We all got out and were immediately slapped with sub-zero air temperature but thankfully there was no wind.

We could see two wolves had passed in front of us and were walking away from us now. Turning around we could see two more wolves coming up the hillside heading right in our direction. We all started capturing some images of the wolves making their way through the deep snow. One of the black wolves walked past us in a wide arch then suddenly sat down about 180 yards away, facing right at us and started to howl. I couldn’t believe our luck; the black wolf’s fur was covered with frost from the long cold night and now was howling right in front of us. What a perfect picture!

The wolves continued walking through the snow and walked over the ridge and out of sight. It was only then did everyone start to breathe again and we all gathered together congratulate each other on such an amazing encounter..  Until next time…

Stan Tekiela is an author / naturalist and wildlife photographer who travels the world to capture images of wildlife. He can be followed at www.Instagram.com and www.Facebook.com. He can be contacted via his website at www.NatureSmart.com.