While on my tour of the Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary in Ramah, NM I had a lot of opportunities to take some incredibly wonderful close up shots of the wolves. As you first meet each wolf, you are a source of great curiosity to the wolves: they want to know all about you and size you up (and it is best to avoid thinking about if they are going to season you with salt and pepper. No, not at all. Just don't go there and you'll be fine), but after a while they get back to doing whatever wolf business they were up to before you interrupted them.

This particular pair was really fond of a tree. They kept hanging out by the tree, which was fine with me, since it gave me the opportunity to grab this particular shot. And really, I am still not sure what that tongue was about, but the thought is there that the wolf was thinking "tasty human. Needs salt, though." Oh...the red spot that looks suspiciously like blood on the frontmost wolf?

Yeah. We'll just leave that question alone. But it sure does look like blood, doesn't it? In fact...

Yeah.

(In total fairness, and setting aside the somewhat dramatic description above, being in with the wolves was an incredible experience, and if you have any chance...take it! The wolves are for the most part very gentle, and besides, you will be with an exceptionally competent and careful guide to keep everything calm and wonderful.)

Still. That spot...