Not that many people know that in my spare time–while not writing–I watch wolves. Red wolves, Mexican gray wolves, and Canadian/Rocky Mountain gray wolves. In fact, don’t be surprised if a wolf shows up in a future novel of mine.
For years, I’ve been fascinated by these amazing and beautiful animals. In fact, here’s a picture of me meeting an ambassador wolf in 2007 at a wolf sanctuary in Colorado. Let me tell you, there’s something really special about being kissed by a wolf. This photo is framed and in my office.
But I don’t live in Colorado anymore, so I’ve missed them.
However, with the help of modern technology, I can now watch wolves howl, play, eat and sleep in their dens by going to a wolf cam online.
Here is an iPad photo I took of what was on the wolf cam this week. This is Atka. Atka is an ambassador wolf at the Wolf Conversation Center in New York. Here he is readying for a nap outside his den in the snow. The temperature was a brisk 16 degrees, but it seemed like perfect sleeping weather for Atka. (Click on his photo to go to his enclosure cam.)
Founded in 1996 by French concert pianist Helene Grimaud, the Wolf Conservation Center in New Salem, NY is doing important work to save wolves all over the world. 
Go here to see Atka or the other wolves at the WCC, and to read about the amazing work this Center is doing on behalf of wolves.
If you’re interested, here are a few tips on wolf viewing on this web cam: sometimes you have to wait for them to come into view, so I suggest you go at different times of the day and check the different wolf cams to see which wolves are around. The Red Wolves are almost always in their den after dusk (go to the den cam to see them), unless one of the brothers or sisters is outside howling, then they all tend to go see what’s happening. I’ve even seen some howl in their den, just to join in on the fun, but not have to go back out. Some of the cams have microphones, some don’t.
Helene Grimaud and Atka
Be careful. You might get as hooked on them as I am. Who knows. Watching these wolves may bring out the wildness in you. You may find yourself howling at odd moments. You may even start to feel more creative–more hungry for a creative life! Proceed with caution. Watching wolves could change your life. 😉 xo
P.S. Do you have a fondness for wolves or other wildlife? I’d love to hear from you.
Here we get mountain lions. Don’t need a cam. They’re all over. Deer too.
Love the idea, though. I’d rather watch nature than most of what’s on TV.
When I lived out west I didn’t need a cam, either, John. But the wildlife in the southeast is much more hidden. In Colorado, coyotes roamed my neighborhood. Here, we can hear them yipping, but I’ve yet to see one, and I’ve lived in the North Carolina mountains off and on for 20 years!
Also, it appeals to me that it’s a live stream. When I watch the Nature Channel I’m aware that the animals could be dead by now and I’m watching ghosts.
Out here deer cross in front of my car. They look at me like, “I’ll move when I’m damn good and ready. You think I’m Bambi? I know how much damage I can do to your fender, and I know what bodywork costs, so I’ll just take my damn sweet time…”
Of course, they also may not like me because I eat them. 😉
I’m surprised there aren’t live cams for that, too, John. Carnivore cams.
I came across this post searching online, so funny that I’ve watched the Wolf Conservation Center’s webcams for over a year. I love wolves, it’s too bad that Atka passed away in 2018, even though I never met him. Save the red wolf!