MN Wolf (ID-confirmed?)

Wow Terry, nice shot of a really interesting animal! A bit of a wolfy face, but the coat color and pattern screams yote to me. My guess would be that it's either an extremely wolf-looking coyote, an extremely coyote-looking wolf, or a "coywolf" hybrid (...that narrows it down, ha!). No matter what the animal is, you've got a decent shot of it - nice one!

That's about what I've gotten from folks! Asked a Duluth nature guide I ran into in Sax-Zim, and when he saw the photo, he said "Definitely wolf". The next guy, a fellow wildlife photographer? "Big Coyote". And, I also had someone else say half-coyote half-wolf!! At least I don't feel so bad for not knowing for sure.

Hmmm. That's a tough call on the id Terry! Might be a young wolf, but face looks a bit narrow. Very nice photo regardless, perfectly positioned relative to the uncomplicated background. That one pesky willow rising up behind behind his right foreleg is slightly unfortunate, but not a huge deal. Nice collateral find, hope you were as lucky with the owls!

If it helps...I didn't get many frames at all, and only one semi-fuzzy shot from the side. Here's his head from the side.

My money is on coyote, especially after seeing the snout shape on second shot. I think the luxuriant winter coat is adding to the apparent "bulk" of the animal.

Brad

I have to agree with Brad. I believe it's a coyote, but does look a bit wolfish due to a lot of gray in the coat and a head that seems disproportionately small compared to the body. Who knows, perhaps there is a touch of wolf mixed in from an ancestor. Thanks for sharing, Terry!

Max

Hello Terry

A Sweet Shot. The Head has a Definite Coyote feel to it, except the ears are wolf looking. The Bulk , from a Winter Coat probably, Nice Specimen. I think thje Body type is Coyote, not enough Body bulk for Wolf.

When he walks, or moves away , how was the tail being carried ? The Legs & Feet can also assist with determination .

Very Interesting, Thanks for sharing.

Bill


There are definite inter breedings with Wolf & Coyote now,

Crisp Image, especially at 1/200 hand held. Was this a Crop ?

Really nice capture no matter what it actually is. It might be good to call Minnesota DNR's Northeast regional office to get the name of the local DNR biologist so you can share the photo and get a positive ID.

Jeff Lightfoot at 218-999-7938 is the regions wildlife manager.

Bill - This is almost full-frame, a bit trimmed around the outside. Was right at dawn, and light was indeed horrible and low. 1/200, hand-held with my 400, since it was a "grab" shot without any time to prepare.

Don - Good suggestion! I found his email and sent him the link to my website with photos.

I've asked a lot of folks, some saying "definite" wolf, "definite" coyote. It's the ears that throws me off the most on the ID when I compare to all the other coyote photos I have where the ears are all sticking up higher and are bigger. The ears, and the size of the animal. But I'm used to coyotes around here, and from what I've read, coyotes in the eastern forests are bigger.

Was a fun moment...ALMOST enough to make me want to go out more often to train my camera on things WITHOUT feathers.

I would also say coyote for what its worth. If given the chance again, and conditions are right, photos of the animals track may help in its ID. Also include something in the photo to show the size of the track.

Terry, I first thought this looked like a wolf, but the delicate nose looked coyote-like. I have spent some time with google image search of identifying characteristics and then comparing what you have here to my coyote files (many).

Coloration is suggestive of wolf, especially in that it lacks facial detail/color patches. Wolf images I looked at showed most adults with a more markedly husky build, especially neck and chest, with a blockier muzzle and often with a noticeable ruff. Your capture has a more delicate nose that looks coyote. But all direct profile coyote images I have share an interesting trait. They ALL have the same "expression" or smile profile in the line created by the closed mouth, which to my eye looks like a smug attitude. Wolf expressions appear more impassive. Your profile shot has a more impassive expression. On-line sites suggest wolves have more rounded ears, coyotes more pointed. Yours looks more rounded than any of my coyote images. But the real kicker to me, is that all my coyote images, even the larger males with more wolf-like characteristics have a narrow space between the upright ears when viewed head on with ear erect pose. I would say this sample is almost twice the width for the between ear space.


So my judgement is this is either a hybrid or a younger wolf.

Just got this from Jeff Lightfoot, the Minnesota DNR guy who works the Sax-Zim Bog area and looked at the photos. He says "Wolf". Another guide who works the area also just told me "wolf".

Good Afternoon Terry,
Thank you for the note and the great photographs. Having worked in the Sax/Zim Area for many years and in seeing a fair number of both coyotes and wolves during my time in the field I am confident in saying that your photograph is of a wolf.
Did you see any northern owls?

Jeff
Jeff Lightfoot

Also, the Large Carnivore Specialist for Minnesota DNR contacted me and said "wolf", and wanted the photos for DNR usage for wolf presentations. So, it seems pretty settled that the people that work in the area think it's a wolf.

It sounds like the area experts have concluded it's a wolf. Congratulations on capturing this quality image when the opportunity presented itself!

Beautiful shot, regardless of what he is lol. Nicely framed, looking right at you, background blurred nicely and the snow is white, as it should be. Very nice shot! (I'm jealous).

When I first saw this shot I thought "nice wolf shot" but comments from other very knowledgable photographers on here gave me pause. I checked my shots of Texas and Yellowstone coyotes and Yellowstone wolves and based on ear length, coat color, the nose shape and delicacy of the nose, and just the overall look I concluded that it was probably a wolf or maybe a hybrid. I am definitely no taxonomic expert but I think your local experts definitely put the wolf ID over the top. It's a really nice shot especially under the "grab shot" circumstances. Nice detail in the fur and I like the direct eye contact he is giving you. Big congratulations on this one.

Beautiful Wolf with nice posture and close eye contact. TFS.

Terry,
Wolf or not, it's one great capture,
Congratulations on the WP . . .

What a gorgeous animal! Nice, nice shot, Terry. Congratulations!

Congrats on the Weekly Pick, Terry! It certainly is a fine image! My vote goes for Wolf! I think your evidence all points to wolf, but I guess I could believe Coyote. I can see how some people are thinking it's a mixture of the two, and would not be surprised if you found out it was! When I think about it, those eyes look very Coyoteish...just something about them .

Congrats Terry (two times) On the EP and a very Sweet Wolf Portrait!!!

Ken Archer

Fine image - great detail. congrats on the WP!
Sandy