On any given day, no matter the weather, the turnout on the road through the Lamar Valley in Yellowstone National Park is usually occupied by wolf watchers. With long spotting scopes, tripods and sometimes cameras, they scan the distant hills, ridges and meadows for a glimpse of the Druid Pack, Yellowstone's largest and most easily observed wolf pack.

They come from throughout the area, across the nation and from overseas, to catch a few seconds' glimpse of the wolves and, if lucky, watch them hunt in the sprawling valley.

In 1999, David Wilkerson and Diane Lavos came to Yellowstone from Massachusetts on vacation to take in the scenery and the park's thermal features. On the way to the falls, the couple stopped in Tower, where a ranger brought out a wolf pelt, and told Wilkerson and Lavos about Yellowstone's wolves and their successful reintroduction.

"We never made it up to the falls," Lavos said.

They immediately drove to the Lamar Valley where they were greeted by seasoned wolf watchers, who happily shared their scopes. Wilkerson and Lavos saw wolves that day and spent the rest of their trip in the valley longing for another glimpse. Each year since, Wilkerson and Lavos have made a trip to Yellowstone to watch wolves.

Wolf watchers are not casual observers.

For the most part, they have a familiarity with the park's wolves, know the history and politics of their reintroduction and play an important, informal role in education and advocacy.

Standing bundled in fleece and stocking caps, heads bent into the icy, February wind, Wilkerson and Lavos gathered with their informal community again at the Lamar Valley, unified by their common interest. Despite seeing only a brief glimpse of the Druids earlier in the day, they waited, patient and sure they'd see the wolves as the afternoon passed to evening.

Wolf watchers are disciples, and Yellowstone National Park is their Holy Land.

Yellowstone's wolves were introduced 10 years ago. Each of those first wolves were collared and numbered as well as many of their offspring. Biologists discourage anthropomorphizing the wolves - applying human qualities, emotions and behaviors to animals. They're known, instead by their numbers.

Still, wolf watchers know the distinctive canines through their behavior, and often can't help but develop a strong interest, if not an attachment.

"Once you get up here with these wolves you get to know them and their different personalities," said Lew Nielsen, from Green River, Wyo.

Nielsen comes from a long line of Western farmers and ranchers, who never would have supported wolf reintroduction, but the majestic animals and their longing howls drew him in regardless of his heritage. Now, he works for Halliburton, a coal, natural gas, and nuclear energy company.

Nielsen and his wife Linda have been coming up to the park since wolves were reintroduced, and the couple spends about three weeks of vacation in the park, watching wolves. Sometimes, Linda steals away and comes on her own, her husband said.

"The Druids here have been a great big success story," Nielsen said, without looking away from his foot-long Swarovski scope.

The Druid Pack is likely the most recognizable and historic pack in the park, partly because the Lamar Valley, the Druid's territory, is easily accessed by watchers.

Among Yellowstone's wolves, No. 21, the Druid Pack's black alpha male, and the Druid's gray blue alpha female, No. 42, have developed a devoted following. No. 42, widely known as the Cinderella of the pack, is known for overcoming the pack's original alpha female - her sister - which was ill-tempered and domineering.

"She (No. 42) was motherly and very much an organizer," Nielsen said. "She was the leader."

No. 21, displayed as strong a paternal commitment as his mate's motherly instincts. Wilkerson described No. 21 as the quintessential alpha - majestic, fierce, territorial, yet at the same time, gentle and caring.

"He provided for his young, even his daughters," Wilkerson said. "We've literally seen him carrying meat back to the den for the pups."

No. 42 was killed a year ago by a rival pack, and No. 21 passed away in 2004 as well, presumably of natural causes. It's estimated that their bloodlines run through every Yellowstone wolf pack, and many of their pups inherited their leadership qualities, going on to become alphas and start packs of their own.

Many wolf watchers are drawn to Yellowstone's wolves because they see wolves as something many humans are not - committed to their own, to their young and to a place they will defend to the death.

"In the evening you see them gathering and you start counting all in a row," said Lavos. "It's a feeling that they're living the life they choose, I suppose. Their life together is the most important thing and they live their life to be together - without us, even though we protect them."