Timber Wolf

Timber wolves - You never forget an encounter with this icon of the north woods. I feel fortunate to have seen dozens over the years. The sightings are all fleeting and never last for more than a few seconds. Last week, Karla and I were lucky enough to see a large beautiful gray wolf close to our new house near Grand Marais.

It was a very cold afternoon and most people were staying indoors. We were on a county road behind Cascade River State Park when we noticed about 20 to 30 ravens rise up from a deer carcass. As we drove by I thought for sure that I saw the legs of a wolf under the flock of ravens. We continued up the road so when we turned around it didn’t frighten the wolf. We switched drivers and I hung out the window with my camera ready. As we approached the carcass we saw the wolf. It was still feeding on its kill. I didn’t think it would stay for a photo but Karla hit the brakes at just the right time and with the camera ready I was able to get off about 8 shots. In two photos the wolf is looking right at us over his shoulder. He seemed reluctant to leave especially when he was hungry and it was about 20 below zero.