Hi Everyone,

I just posted an article on the Wolf Conservation Society, located about 45 minutes from New York City. To say that they are doing yeoman's work is an understatement.

James

http://www.nwpphotoforum.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=39167

Great article, James, and lovely images. I still have a trip to the Seacrest Wolf Preserve in the FL Panhandle on my "to do" list for when the weather cools down a bit. Maybe over the Xmas Holidays. When I do I'll share with the forum. In the meantime, thanks for this article.

Jim

Thank you, Jim! I was pretty impressed with the work that is being done at NY Wolf. They are doing important work.

James

Great story James. Incredible pics too. Thanks for sharing.

James:

Like the others who have posted responses to this thread, I too enjoyed your article and photographs. Jim Garvie's mention of the Seacrest Wolf Preserve sent me off in search of additional info since we have a Florida camping trip scheduled for February and our route takes us within 8-10 miles of it.

Unfortunately, visitors on public tours are only permitted to use disposable cameras. No digital or cell phones allowed. Photography access is by reservation only and costs $350 for a 2.5 hour session.

Ah well, guess if I stop, I'll be limited to what little I can store between my ears. But I look forward to any shots Jim would like to post.

Jim

Jim,
most of the preserves have photo tours which allow you to enter the compound instead of shooting through the fences. They are guided tours, strict about what you can and cannot do and they can provide some wonderful photo ops but there are no guarantees. Still, $600 for a day shoot isn't prohibitive if you end up getting some decent shots of these great animals. I'll be sure to share if we make the trip later this year.

Jim

Jim:

I have no doubt that the enhanced shooting opportunities offered during the photo tours would be significant and the money from both tours goes to a great cause. Plus, if images captured during the photo tour will later be sold, I think the preserve ought to be compensated for their contribution to the end product through the additional fee.

It is just that, for an amateur like me, $2.33 @ minute for the "half-day" session is probably a little rich for my blood. I'll have to make do with reliving the memories while looking at the excellent shots you will no doubt return with.

Jim

Jim,
at least you have the option of heading off to Yellowstone and taking your chances. Here in Florida? Not so much . Ultimately, I'd love to capture all my "nature" shots in the wild but for some animals, that's just not possible. So, you take advantage of those places that are dedicated to their preservation. On the other hand, we do have Alligators and I can point you to several places where you can capture them in the wild .

Happy travels.

Jim

LOL, Jim, the closest I have ever been to a wolf in Yellowstone is 600 yards...and that was on one occasion. I think that the only really good season where you have an opportunity to see them is Winter, when they get forced closer to the roads for their game. They really try to avoid human contact - which I suppose is a good thing for them.

There is a DIscovery Center in West Yellowstone where they have wolves and some 'troublesome bears' that have been given to them for raiding the camp grounds a few too many times.

T Jim, I would look at some other reserves. $600 seems really high to me. I believe that Brewster allows photographer access for significantly less than that. I am sure there are others as well.

James

James,
actually, $600/full day is pretty much the norm. They charge $350 for a half-day. Lakota, in NJ, charges $300 for 2 hrs. Again, it's a matter of what the Preserve allows and what it provides in terms of a photo experience. Seacrest, which is the only Wolf Preserve in the SE United States, provides a full day inside the enclosure with guide(s) and no fencing between you and the wolves. They also require a signed liability release so whether you want to go into the enclosure depends on your own risk profile .

As you know, I'm an avid canine enthusiast and I currently own 5 Rottweilers. I tend to be a little less intimidated by the prospect of being face-to-face with a wolf than some others might be. As I said, it's something I'd like to do and whether or not I get the opportunity to do it will be a matter of availability: of both time and disposable income.

Jim