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22nd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
The Call of the Wild

I traveled to Yellowstone National Park in the winter in hopes of seeing the wolf packs. There is only one road open in the winter, so the chances of encounters are limited. We witnessed several packs from a distance, but were unsuccessful in being able to photograph anything as they were too far away. On our last day, I used an extender on my crop sensor camera, in hopes we would have an encounter. As the sun was setting, we came across a pack hunkered down in the snow across the river from our location. As the light faded we decide to head back to our hotel and in the last moments of light, we spotted a young lone wolf, chewing on a bone. We figured he probably stole it from the pack and wondered off to enjoy it in peace. Once he finished, he stood up and called to the pack. One of the highlights of the trip, was to hear the call of the wild and witness the communication of these amazing animals.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 02.2024
Date Uploaded: 12.2024
Photo Location: Gardiner, Montana, United States of America
Camera: Canon EOS R7
Copyright: © Jo-Anne Oucharek