Leaping wolf snatches photo prize

21 October 2009 | Victoria Gill

[JoeProBono]

A picture of a hunting wolf has won the prestigious Veolia Environment Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2009 award.

Jose Luis Rodriguez captured the imaginations of the judges with a picture that he had planned for years, and even sketched out on a piece of paper.

"I wanted to capture a photo in which you would see a wolf in an act of hunting - or predation - but without blood," he told BBC News. "I didn't want a cruel image."

With a great deal of patience and careful observation of the wolves' movements, he succeeded in taking the award-winning photograph.

Mr Rodriguez used a custom-built infrared trap to snap the wolf as it leapt into the air.

[JoeProBono]

[Snurple]

Cool pic.

[chris37]

That is an awesome photo. Wolves are amazing.

[papasmurf]

Awesome.

[pandoraou812]

Great pic

[afraidfortherepublic]

That doesn’t look like a photo — it looks like a painting. Beautiful picture.

[Doogle]

http://www.lakotawolf.com/

[Snurple]

Beautiful beasts.

[Mamzelle]

That is indeed prizeworthy. Even a beautiful gate and stone fence. Makes me think of a perfectly poised open jumper (horse).

[blackbart.223]

"I wanted to capture a photo in which you would see a wolf in an act of hunting - or predation - but without blood."

This is a huge contradiction. Good photo anyway.

[Doogle]

yeah, lakoda’s, about 20 miles from me...cool place to see them up close, but rather expensive if your into serious photography.

[Valpal1]

Makes me wonder if the farmer lost any livestock that night.

[historyrepeatz]

Photoshopped. (Okay.. Sorry).

[JoeProBono]

[The KG9 Kid]

I even like the gate and stone wall.

[blackbart.223]

"Makes me wonder if the farmer lost any livestock that night."

That would be the blood part of it he didn't want to see. Where do these people come from?

[JoeProBono]

[JoeProBono]

[blam]

Wolves Eat Grapes

(I saw the grape eating documentary too)

[JoeProBono]

[CheneyChick]

Link to story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8318000/8318226.stm

[1_Rain_Drop]

Breathtaking photo. Surreal almost.
Those eyes!
Beautiful composition and "props". I like the "Y" on the gate.

[the invisib1e hand]

a-oooooooo!

[Captain Beyond]

Cool pic.

Hi Retrokitten. I remembered you were into photography so I thought you might like the ping when I saw this thread.

Have a good one.

[JoeProBono]

[pandoraou812]

Thanks , loved all the pics. I love wolves.

[JoeProBono]

[blackbart.223]

Cool dog. I have a big black Lab. I love dogs.

[TheZMan]

I don’t mind him not wanting to capture blood; that’s fine. My problem is his assignment of the word “cruel” to the natural order of things. Typical reverse-Darwinist.

[JoeProBono]

[JoeProBono]

[chris37]

:)

I saved that wonderful image.

Thank you.

[Captain Beyond]

Wow nice capture there. I wonder how long someone had to wait for that one. That could be used in some Werewolf movie.

[ReneeLynn]

Looks like a fairytale. And the wolf hurried on to Grandma’s house to get there before Red Riding Hood.

[MarineBrat]

Labbies in the pool.... Shorthairs drool!

[blackbart.223]

"I don’t mind him not wanting to capture blood.

I won't argue that point. But blood is what happens after the chase. That is the nature of the predator. It is part of the deal and to deny it is to ignore reality.

[americanophile]

[Liberty Valance]

“Coyote” Joni Mitchell
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSZcK48cTiU

[blackbart.223]

Hillary with the full moon.

[alfa6]

Ping

Regards

alfa6 ;>}

[JoeProBono]

[blackbart.223]

I hate to admit I know who that is. It shows my age. I used to listen to Wolfman Jack many moons ago.

[alicewonders]

Wolves are magnificent creatures - awesome pictures on this thread - thank you!

[blackbart.223]

"Looks like a fairytale. And the wolf hurried on to Grandma’s house to get there before Red Riding Hood."

But the woodsman got the wolf in the end.

[Aria]

That’s what I was thinking - we had horses who weren’t as good.

[JoeProBono]

[Valpal1]

I raise sheep. And I’m damned tired of the anti-property rights, pro-wolf lobby cooing on FR.

[QBFimi]

>> “I didn’t want a cruel image.”

Maybe you should go back to photographing puppies and kittens.

[YankeeinOkieville]

But blood is what happens after the chase. That is the nature of the predator. It is part of the deal and to deny it is to ignore reality.

I don't think he's ignoring it. I think he simply wanted his picture to capture "during" the chase. The blood ... the "after" ... the stereotypical image ... that's been done often enough.

[goat granny]

I’m telling Daffy on you.......