Wolf (Canis lupus)

[Tshokwane]

Running Wolf Nature Photography by Deby Dixon:
The traveling Lamar Canyons on a snowy day


Here are some images of our wolves, taken yesterday, as they travelled from the carcass in Soda Butte Valley to find their next meal. The snow was really coming down shortly after they disappeared up the hill to the north. But, this is probably about as close as I have seen the wolves in a long time. The mange and their shaggy appearance is disheartening but it does not stop this pack from being proud and moving forward. They have a spirit that knows no bounds and they know that this is just a glitch in time and soon they will be sporting new winter coats. Reminds me of that Dolly Parton song that always used to make me cry - Coat of Many Colors.

Wolf world is a tough place - the animals have to endure many challenges but they get up each day and do just that. And, it is hard for some humans who have been cast as not good enough to watch the animals of their heart. They have been deemed as too competitive, criminally so, and therefore unworthy of being a human. And so stories are told, false accusations leveled, all while they and their friends are doing things so much worse than the criminal would conceive of doing, and no one saying a thing. And, so someone has to fight for fairness and equality - for the right of every individual to be treated as human - breathing, feeling, bleeding, laughing - in their national park. Someone has to fight for this so those that come along behind will simply get to watch and enjoy the animals that they are in the park to see. And so the humans get up each day, with optimism in their hearts, and venture into the park to watch the wolves and to share them with all. And one has to wonder, who is competitive, the person who shares the animals with everyone or the one who keeps them secret so that the perceived competition doesn't know? And, when did working hard and being competitive, and trying to make a living, become a crime? When did trying to block traffic so wolf puppies could cross become a crime? When did sitting in one's car, 140 yards from an animal become a crime? And, when did they invent right angle cameras? The crime is in the lies, the games, the ostracizing through deceit - the constantly trying to get someone in trouble by making things up, while ignoring the actual wrongdoing of friends. Sort of makes someone who could actually care less about what others are doing sit up, notice and document in order to save themselves. A consequence of the unfairness is that those not involved in the games end up suffering as well.

Wolf world is a tough place for the animals and the humans - it is about time it became all inclusive for everyone to enjoy without fear of the petty, childish games that could destroy lives. Time for the war to end because like the wolves, the humans will not be unfairly persecuted and run off from where they belong. Acceptance is key - and folks might find a pretty great person beneath all of those stories.

Deby

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

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