Puppy Photos

Below are just a few of the photographs I took on this past Saturday. Trust me, there were plenty more (and I am glad I took so many! The pups may be small, but they are fast thus caused quite a blur!).These are just a few of my favorites.

Please note that yes, there is a copyright notice on these images (also another reason why they may not be the largest size) but Wolf Hollow, Ipswich always has permission/use of my photos as I consider it an honor to be part of the Wolf Hollow family. You may even see some photos up on a Wolf Hollow blog-

Back to the photos. They are as follows:



Nevaeh having the most serene and calm look on her face. Her personality reminds me of a baby Nina. I love her eyes in this photograph.



Linnea and Nevaeh, the girls being together. Linnea is definitely the dominant one of the two, Nevaeh is such a sweetheart. Loved the expressions on their little faces.



Linnea giving an amazing puppy howl. I think she knew I wanted a proper photo of a puppy howl, thus made sure to be right near me.

As I have said too many times. They are adorable. You should come and visit Wolf Hollow in Ipswich, MA, moreso that the weather is so nice and the sun is no longer hiding!

Information about Wolf Hollow, hours and directions can be located on Wolf Hollow's website: http://www.wolfhollowipswich.org/

~Jess

Memorial Weekend Love

Yesterday, Saturday, was a fantastic day of Wolf Hollow fun and love. After going into the main enclosure with Weeble and Nina I could not feel more loved by such a beautiful and noble creature. Both of them obviously missed me as it had been a couple weeks since I had gone in with them, but regardless, it was lovely. They are still both shedding their winter coats like crazy. They don't seem to mind when you pull away the “tufties” as it eventually will cool them down a bit (I would suspect).

The puppies have gotten so big! They have gone from crawling, to wobbly, to walking around/bouncing around so fast. Amazing. They are also showing personality traits as well. It is obvious that the two blond pups, Argus and Lineaa, own the roost. Nevaeh is a sweetheart, Grendel is Mr. Anti-Social, and no-name (puppy who will be named via puppy naming contest) loves attention.

I took so many photographs yesterday, I'm part way through editing them and got some great facial shots of them this week. Stay tuned for some close views of the wonderful wolf babies!

~Jess

Quiet Time Over~

Quiet time has been full of fun and change. I have already created a schedule of writing for myself, and personal photography projects. But most of all, the one thing that will be occupying and keeping my days busy will be the puppies at Wolf Hollow, Ipswich. How is this possible, you may wonder, when I trek to Ipswich only once a week? Well, that is just the beginning.

The puppies are growing like weeds, but the cutest weeds in the world. It is so strange to see how much they have changed from the car ride until now, and I cannot wait to photograph them this coming weekend. I hope to create some comparison panels over the next few weeks to show development as they grow and mature. The puppies not only occupy my time with photography, trying to capture their development, their essence and personality, but my writing as well. It has come to my create attention that my writing need not just be influenced by what I already know will be set in stone for my plans ahead, but what the puppies are showing me now.

As they grow, they learn, and to put it plainly, they are teaching me and giving me information more valuable than any book or website.

Writing from life is a gift, and I plan to use this gift wisely when personifying the characters in my work.

Here are some photos you will surely enjoy. These are photos taken by me from my phone (as I plan to do a mass upload of some high res. Photos once I gather some more this weekend) for comparison of growth. Enjoy!





All photographs (c) Jessica Novak 2011

Indiana Adventure Overview

Sorry for the delay ladies and gents! (This was supposed to go up yesterday, Thursday, but due to blogger's maintenance it was delayed~)

The last twenty four hours have been crazy so I apologize for the delay! It is now time for an over view!

After leaving Wolf Park early in the afternoon on Tuesday, it was a couple more hours to drive until Wolf Creek. The wolves at Wolf Park were awesome, my favorite was definitely Dharma (I am already sporting a tee shirt I got with her image on it). One of the true highlights was being able to meet Monty, and incredible photographer who I aspire to “mimic,” but mostly learn from. Overall composition in the end is incredible, I will continually be checking out his photos on the Wolf Park website day in and day out.

There were no updates since the first yesterday as, well, we were a bit busy in the car on the way home. Wolf Creek was absolutely amazing, both the wolves and people. Kathy is a truly amazing woman, one of the nicest I have ever met in my life. Her wolves are beautiful and sing songs you wish you could. Being so close to the enclosures and hearing them howl at once was an experience I will never forgot. The varying tones intermingling touched my soul. I took so many photographs, including those of the puppies before we moved them from the den (we had a chance to meet their momma Tuesday and say hello to the pups before the move on Wednesday).

Wednesday was a day of excitement, and that of departures. After retrieving the puppies from the den we, as a team, (Joni, Nicole, Spencer, Erin and myself) brought them inside to be photographed. The male that Kathy kept, named Denali, was the biggest boy with his eyes already opening. A;though we knew it was time to journey home, I wish Wolf Creek was closer so I could visit often. I assure you, this will not be the only time I travel out there, I promise you.

After a few more photos and some hugs we headed on the way home with our precious cargo. That was when I gave the one update yesterday, after that, we were very busy with a bustling box of babies. You can already see some personality coming out the the little ones (especially Mr. Antisocial), and they loved being on their backs with their bellies rubbed. The one brown/blonde boy loved being in my lap and was rather content for a long while.

Many hours passed, and the little ones decided it was time to adventure. I swore that one in particular really wanted the SmartFood Popcorn, while Mr. Antisocial tried so hard to get out of the box and away from his siblings. He was content being with Joni in the front passenger while Nicole took over driving the trek home.

They are so small, and the feeling I experienced while cradling them in my arms (especially that little boy) is hard to put in words. Cliché, I know, but it was a moment, and day, I will never forget. Their paws are so soft, the smoothest thing you would ever feel in your life, and the sounds that come from them is sweet even though they were a handful.

I cannot thank Wolf Hollow, especially Joni, enough for letting me be a part of this experience. A true once in a lifetime that I will never forget. I am honored to have been a part of this experience. I have so many photos to edit, and now, so much writing to do as I am inspired. Sunday cannot come soon enough, I can't wait to visit the puppies and see my girlfriend, Nina. I think that she knows she will be a momma in a few weeks, and she, along with Weeble, will be tremendous.

I will be loading some photos most likely tomorrow/the weekend, so stay tuned. I have also decided to embark on creating puppy photographic mosaics like those of my senior project.

This is truly just the beginning, and I cannot wait to take my next steps.

Babies on Board

We got up early today to start our journey home and hopefully be there at a reasonable hour. The puppies are currently hurdles in a box and look a little like bears. I didn't take too many photos of them just yet as I don't want to stress the little bundles of fluff. So adorable and amazing to see wolves so small.

Wolf Creek

We have been settled into Wolf Creek for a couple hours. The wolves are amazing and we were able to take a peek at the babies - they are the cutest things you would ever see. Been taking lots of photos and will try to make more. The wolves have such fun personalities and expressions. Such an amazing place.

Wonders at Wolf Patk

Just left Wolf Park and our time was fantastic. We got to see all the wolves as well as the bison (and the bison baby!)  and I got some great photos. We also saw the coyotes and they are so small! Nothing like the ones at home. We are on the road again to Wolf Creek!

Almost to Wolf Park

In about ten minutes we will be arriving at Wolf Park. Wolf Park is home to the parents and some siblings of Nina and Osa of Wolf Hollow, Ipswich.  They also have numerous other wolves as well as two coyotes and two foxes. Very excites to finally yet to our first wolf stop!

Officially in Indiana

We just crossed the state line into Indiana.  Took a couple photos of the wide open land (farmland... farmland ...barn). The weather is beautiful. Having some trouble uploading photos while mobile (but the Mac trucks have no problem taking over the road!) . We are a couple hours away from our destination today (Wolf Park!). Hoping everyone is having a fantastic day and that everyone at CCNE is having a 'good' day of finals! 

On the road Again

After taking a break from driving (stopping in Erie Pennsylvania) and grabbing breakfast (hot cakes and hot cocoa serves by a woman rocking a 1960s hairdo) we are on our way!  We have clear skies and it is warming up. Hoping to reach Wolf Park in the early evening. We are driving on! 

The Stars

"Written in the stars a million miles away...I'm on my way..." just came on the radio as I'm watching cars, lights and stars pass as we continue on our way. For those who don't know the song you definately should give it a chance.  Having it come on the radio makes it seem like a sign ... or perhaps I'm a bit tired from the car. Regardless we are still on our way. Been having problems getting some photos up but I will try again later. The road is empty and the sky is spotted with clouds and starry skies peeking through.

Into the NYC

After about three hours we are already in New York. Just saw a sign that New York police use aircrafts for speed control... interesting. It doesn't seem like we've been driving for long at all which is great. Hoping to keep up the pace as we race the sun (and an orange Mac truck that wants to play leap frog). Going to try and get a photo up from my phone before we lose the sun (cross your fingers)!

On the Road

The adventure has officially begun!  It is a long road ahead of us but we are armed with lots of snacks and several GPS (basically everyone brought one so we don't get lost!). The car is packed to the brim with snacks and excited puppy adventurers. Another update will come in a few hours. CCNE students you better be studying hard!

Before the trek takes place...

Today is the day! Today I, along with my comrades, will be starting the trek out to Indiana towards victory (aka wolf puppies). I have been anxiously awaiting today, and I can't really put into words how I feel at the moment. A mix of thoughts and emotions I assure you: adventure, documentary, writing and wolves will definitely be a part of this journey.

Although this morning began with yet another migraine (which I have conquered and suppressed with my might, and really, really hot water) nothing will keep me from going! I'd like to say thanks to those people allowing me to take this venture, especially my professors at Chester College of New England, thank you all for letting me submit my finals early, thank you for letting me be apart of this opportunity. There is no question that I should specially thank everyone at Wolf Hollow, thank you for letting me be a part of this, I am so very excited.

This is the first post of what I hope to be many. I will be updating posts and hopefully submitting photos from my phone on a regular basis (high res/ photos will come after I return and have access to my computer).

Also, for CCNE students/faculty, have a great week at Chester! Students, study hard and finals will be a piece of cake, faculty, try to survive one more week!

Stay tuned for updates!

~Jess

An Introduction: This is only the Beginning

This is my new photography and creative writing blog! Brand new and hot off the technological press, this blog will house recent/new/upcoming work. Forgive me if it is slow at the start, blogging is a new endeavor for me! Thanks for stopping by!