Nuka
European Wolf
European Wolf
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Feb, 2014Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken at the UK Wolf Conservation Trust (UKWCT) at Beenham in 2013. Sadly the centre is no longer open to the public. Nuka is a European wolf, one of three Beenham cubs born to Mai and Motomo in May 2011, the others being Tala and Tundra, known as the Beenham Pack. They also have three Arctic wolves and another three Europeans. At the time I went there were 12 animals altogether.Time
I think this was taken mid morning, he was a very photogenic wolf and this is just one of many I took that day.Lighting
As an amateur photographer I am not acutely aware of the lighting but I do remember it was quite a sunny day.Equipment
This was taken on a Panasonic DMC FZ45, my first Panasonic camera, hand held with no other equipment or lenses. It was a cracking little camera and I am now using the FZ72 having had the FZ100 and FZ200 in between.Inspiration
Wolves are such amazing animals and have had such a bad press so I wanted to show how beautiful they are. My brother used to be a Senior Handler at Beenham so I used to go with him when I visited and go on the wolf walks as well as “meeting and greeting” the ambassador wolves.Editing
Its very rare I do any post processing apart from cropping or a slight adjustment to the brightness. I do admit that I rarely use the camera on manual setting and as the AI on the Panasonic is so good the results are usually excellent.In my camera bag
I have very little equipment as I don’t use other lenses. I occasionally use a tripod but normally prefer hand held. I have tried using a remote shutter but it never seemed to work correctly but that was probably me rather than the equipment!Feedback
If you ever get the chance to go to a wolf sanctuary then please do, you will be enthralled by these wonderful animals and there is usually a viewpoint above the fencing to get a clear picture. My highlight was to get a kiss from one of the older ambassador wolves called Lunca. There is a big size difference between the European Wolves and the Arctic wolves who are much heavier and stockier. To look into a wolves eyes is something very special and to hear nine wolves all howling to each other is not to be missed; its such a haunting sound.
