Desert Bighorn Sheep
Desert Bighorn Sheep
There are some very craggy, steep, rocky mountains in this whole area. Just the kind of terrain the desert bighorn sheep love. I always look for them when we are in this part of Arizona. The other day we went with our friends to a part of the Kofa wildlife refuge we had never seen before. It was a jeep, 4 wheeler trail and we went pretty far back in the mountains. Waaaaayyyy up high there was a mom and a small baby bighorn sheep. They were way to far away to photograph, so we watched them through a spotting scope and binoculars. The babies must be born this time of year so they are healthy and strong when the summer heat hits.
Another day, we did find these guys.
This was after I had followed them around, all over the mountains. They weren’t very worried about me, and eventually laid down.
When Al and I first saw them, there was just 2. I followed, and he went around a different way.
Soon the 2 met up with the other 2. This was amazing to watch. They nuzzled each other, play butted with their heads, and where obviously glad they were all together.
Eventually they started grazing again.
Another time, we found them in the evening. I climbed up to get closer for photos.
Again they were so close to each other, butting their heads, rubbing on each other. One even put his leg casually across the back of the other.
They moved off this ridge and started heading down. I cut across the mountain to see if I could spot them again. I came up over a small ridge, and there they were. Munching on a saguaro.
They looked at me as if to say, “How and why on earth are you here?”
They snorted at me a couple of times, then just kept on grazing.
Eventually they ran down the mountain, through the wash and up the other mountain.
I did get a few last parting shots of them on the ridge, before it got too dark. Then over they went.
Nothing gets my heart pumping more than photographing wildlife, and climbing all over mountains to do it.
These are such amazing animals. I felt very privileged to watch them interacting with each other like they were. What a tight family bond they must have. I just hope that they never get hunted or harassed by humans, what a shame that would be.
To watch nature as such is a joy, a real joy. I laugh at them, I gaze and am amazed at them, they give a sense of peace. Mary, you have the best photography “studio” ever.
Cool sighting of the Bighorn sheep! Awesome series of photos. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!
they are beautiful, Mary…so free!…:)JP
WOW, just wow!
So beautiful and Majestic! Wow!
Fantastic collection of these majestic guys. I always feel privileged getting close to wildlife and being allowed to observe their rituals.
Beautiful, majestic,… awesome photo captures! Love every single one of them. Thank you so much for the post, Mary!
What a wonderful time with the Bighorn! We’ve found them rather tame when trying to get photos. They do look at you in a way that you can almost understand what they are thinking:) Seeing a large group is the best. We had a herd of about 30 come down off a mountain into the wash we we were driving through. What an amazing site! Another day (we were in Boulder City, NV) we were hiking in a near by canyon and a group of about 10 followed us down to the river. It was so cute because they kept looking over the side at us.
Your photos really captured their beauty. I love the closeup details in your photos of their horns…gorgeous! Lucky, lucky you:)
Wonderful photos of the sheep. Their horns are amazing!
Your shots are just stunning and amazing…There are such amazing things in this world.
Fabulous shots.
Such beautiful animals!
nature in all its finest. How lucky you are to be able to experience it in this way.