Wolverine --- Kuhmo, Finland.

[Gottshotz]

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These pics were taken in a Finnish forest on the Russian border --- D850 with Nikon 400mm f2.8, ISO 640, 1/1600 on a tripod. 23/07/19. --- the size of a small dog these animals are ferocious predators who will happily scavenge if the opportunity arises. They are the largest of the Mustelids (weasel family) with an incredible sense of smell.

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Note the huge paws with claws to match --- any goalkeeper would be delighted to have hands this size !

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The Wolverine's coat looks very coarse, but, in fact, the hairs are smooth and do not have microscopic barbs like the hairs of other animal fur. The outer, visible layer, consists of stiff guard hairs, covering an inner soft layer of under hair --- this variability in the stiff and soft hairs make for a better windbreak and provide more insulation around the animal's face !

 

[Kathy G]

Fabulous series Gottshotz

 

[ssheipel]

Great capture of a beautiful animal. Been fortunate to come across them a couple of times in the Canadian Rockies. Far more concerning to be near than a grizzly in my experience

 

[Chris G.]

Beautiful set.

 

[Yezdi]

Marvelous series...

 

[Gongster]

They are super shots.

 

[Callie]

Just wonderful, waterproof pelt, attitude to spare, I am GREEN

 

[gordon_g]

Really nice series don't see these guy much!!

 

[agrumpybirdphotographer]

Cracking series of images.

 

[AustinIsForTheBirds]

Wow. Very cool.

 

[Scotty45]

Nice shooting, with excellent bokeh. Any sharper & I would now have lacerated eyeballs .

 

[Gottshotz]

Fabulous series Gottshotz

Thanks Kathy G --- This was my target species when I planned the Finland trip !

 

[Gottshotz]

Great capture of a beautiful animal. Been fortunate to come across them a couple of times in the Canadian Rockies. Far more concerning to be near than a grizzly in my experience

Thanks Steven --- I did see some European Brown bears in the same location , but they appeared much later in the night, so I didn'see any interaction behaviour---but I agree with you, I felt more jittery with the Wolverine around !

 

[Gottshotz]

Beautiful set.

Thanks Chris G ---- much appreciated !

 

[DRwyoming]

Awesome images of an image rarely seen, much less in clearings and standing up for a portrait! Great job!

 

[Gottshotz]

Marvelous series...

Thanks Yezdi --- Well worth 28 hours in a cramped hide, over 2 days, to get them !

 

[Gottshotz]

They are super shots.

Thanks Gangster --- Glad you like them, when I saw the final images, I was pretty happy too !

 

[Gottshotz]

Just wonderful, waterproof pelt, attitude to spare, I am GREEN

Thanks Callie --- Yes these guys are highly evolved little "killing" machines and tend to be avoided by their bigger competitors Brown bears, Wolves and Lynx--all of whom were in the same location !

 

[Callie]

Thanks Callie --- Yes these guys are highly evolved little "killing" machines and tend to be avoided by their bigger competitors Brown bears, Wolves and Lynx--all of whom were in the same location !

Their African cousin, the Honey Badger, has the same attitude. I have seen videos where lion and leopard comes off 2nd. No one messes with these guys

 

[Gottshotz]

Really nice series don't see these guy much!!

Thanks Gordon_g --- you're right, I spent ages researching the best location and time of year to see them. In the end this part of Finland, right on the Russian border ( I was stopped by the border guards when I wandered too close looking for Moose ) proved ideal. Only 6 flights, a few hours of driving, 2 hours of hauling the kit (2x D850 1x 400f2.8 1x 70-200 f4 plus batteries, bottles of water , coffee, bananas etc etc) and 28 hours over 2 days in a hide, during an unexpected and brutal heatwave (has anyone else photographed Wolverines in their underpants ?? ) finally got the shots --- would I do it again --- certainly !

 

[Gottshotz]

Their African cousin, the Honey Badger, has the same attitude. I have seen videos where lion and leopard comes off 2nd. No one messes with these guys

Quite, nobody messes with them either ! Along with Caracal they too are on my "wanted" list !

 

[Gottshotz]

Cracking series of images.

Thanks "agrumpybirdphotographer"--- Yes these images of a rarely seen animal have had a satisfyingly good response from many members. Although we have many interesting and beautiful creatures to photograph here in the UK its always nice to bring back some worthy shots from abroad.

 

[Gottshotz]

Wow. Very cool.

Thanks "AustinisforTheBirds" --- Glad you like them, your kind comments are much appreciated !

 

[Gottshotz]

Nice shooting, with excellent bokeh. Any sharper & I would now have lacerated eyeballs .

Thanks Scotty45 --- Thats the fabulous, but beastly heavy, Nikon 400mm f2.8 for you. Set it up right and it delivers every time !

 

[Gottshotz]

Awesome images of an image rarely seen, much less in clearings and standing up for a portrait! Great job!

Thanks DRwyoming --- Yep, Finland proved perfect, with its many lakes and clearings amongst the trees--the bonus was the "sentinel" standing pose !