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Bighorn Sheep stake out high altitude residence

August 18, 2015 by Tony Leave a Comment

With more mountain peaks over 14,000 feet high, it is fitting that #Colorado chose this creature as their official state animal. Bighorn Sheep love the rarified air at high altitude and their rugged lifestyle seems appropriate for the Centennial State.

I was lucky enough to come across two Bighorn rams recently as they lounged around near the top of Trail Ridge Road (12,183 feet) in Rocky Mountain National Park. With no trees in the way thanks to their being way above timberline, I was able to capture many pics of them.

In the coming weeks they will undoubtedly move to lower altitudes and closer to the females. As they do, the males won’t likely be so tolerant of each other as they begin competing for the affection of the fairer sex. ?

A Bighorn Sheep ram lounges near the top of Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.  (© Tony’s Takes)
A Bighorn Sheep ram lounges near the top of Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Very weathered and battle tested horns on this Bighorn Sheep Ram.  (© Tony’s Takes)
Very weathered and battle tested horns on this Bighorn Sheep Ram. (© Tony’s Takes)
The Bighorn Sheep rams gaze down the side of the mountain.  (© Tony’s Takes)
The Bighorn Sheep rams gaze down the side of the mountain. (© Tony’s Takes)

Rocky Mountain Bighorn ewe casts a gentle gaze

May 27, 2015 by Tony Leave a Comment

This pretty lady and a few of her gal pals were hanging out in Estes Park, Colorado this past weekend. The four of them were clearly quite accustomed to having their picture taken as our presence didn’t bother them one bit as they continued to lounge and graze.

Right now they aren’t particularly photogenic as they shed their winter coats, notice the raggedy appearance of the ewe behind this one. Unfortunately I didn’t spot any rams on this day.

The Bighorn Sheep is the official animal of the state of #Colorado and found in many places in the state’s high country. Diseases from European livestock and overhunting had caused the animal’s population to drop precipitously by the early 1900s. Thankfully conservation efforts have been successful in helping the sheep rebound since then.

You can read more about these cool animals here.

A Bighorn Sheep ewe looks at peace.  (© Tony’s Takes)
A Bighorn Sheep ewe looks at peace. (© Tony’s Takes)

Young Bighorn Sheep rams lock horns

January 11, 2015 by Tony Leave a Comment

Taken in Waterton Canyon, Colorado back in October. Not old enough to do battle with the big boys, this pair of young rams was testing their mettle against each other in preparation for the day when they would be fighting for females’ affection.

Two young Bighorn Sheep rams test their mettle against each other. (© Tony’s Takes)
Two young Bighorn Sheep rams test their mettle against each other. (© Tony’s Takes)

Posing Bighorn Ram

November 26, 2014 by Tony Leave a Comment

This big guy didn’t mind having his picture taken back in October in Waterton Canyon, Colorado. The Bighorn Sheep in the area are a big attraction for photographers and recreationalists for good reason. This is one location I may be re-visiting during the long holiday weekend. I just have to convince my photo buddy – my son – that it is worth the 12 mile bike ride. 😉

A Bighorn Sheep ram poses for the camera.  (© Tony’s Takes)
A Bighorn Sheep ram poses for the camera. (© Tony’s Takes)

Battle-tested Bighorn Sheep

November 9, 2014 by Tony Leave a Comment

This ram wore the scars of battles past proudly as he strutted with his peers in Waterton Canyon, Colorado a couple weeks ago. The bighorn rut is in full swing right now as they fight for the right to mate with the nearby herd of ewes.

A Bighorn Sheep ram poses.  (© Tony’s Takes)
A Bighorn Sheep ram poses. (© Tony’s Takes)

Double trouble

October 28, 2014 by Tony Leave a Comment

Two bighorn sheep rams stand side by side in Waterton Canyon, Colorado.

The bighorn rut is starting to gear up and as it does, the rams will begin battling for dominance and the right to mate. Throwing themselves at each other at speeds up to 20mph, the rams will bow their heads and crash their massive horns into each other. This will repeat, sometimes for hours, until one of them submits and walks off.

Two bighorn sheep rams in Colorado stand side by side.  (© Tony’s Takes)
Two bighorn sheep rams in Colorado stand side by side. (© Tony’s Takes)

Ten Butts Mountain

October 22, 2014 by Tony Leave a Comment

I was able to get a picture of this unique landscape feature this past weekend in the Colorado Front Range foothills.   😉

You can view the complete photo gallery from a day in Waterton Canyon below the image.

Ten bighorn rams graze on the side of the road in Waterton Canyon, Colorado.  (© Tony’s Takes)
Ten bighorn rams graze on the side of the road in Waterton Canyon, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
A good looking bighorn ram.
A good looking bighorn ram.
2014-10-18 1A good looking bighorn ram.1-02-26 - 0036
2014-10-18 1A good looking bighorn ram.1-02-26 - 0036
Some of the fall foliage in Waterton Canyon
Some of the fall foliage in Waterton Canyon
Bighorn ram collision sequence - 1 of 4
Bighorn ram collision sequence - 1 of 4
Bighorn ram collision sequence - 2 of 4
Bighorn ram collision sequence - 2 of 4
Bighorn ram collision sequence - 3 of 4
Bighorn ram collision sequence - 3 of 4
Bighorn ram collision sequence - 4 of 4
Bighorn ram collision sequence - 4 of 4
Bighorn rams go head to head
Bighorn rams go head to head
A bighorn ram lowers its head
A bighorn ram lowers its head
Young bighorn tries to engage a competitor
Young bighorn tries to engage a competitor
Young bighorn rams face off
Young bighorn rams face off
Bighorn rams push each other
Bighorn rams push each other
Bighorn rams push each other
Bighorn rams push each other
Bighorn sheep lamb
Bighorn sheep lamb
A young bighorn ram poses
A young bighorn ram poses
A young bighorn ram poses
A young bighorn ram poses
A young ram makes a face
A young ram makes a face
A bighorn lamb plays king of the mountain
A bighorn lamb plays king of the mountain
Bighorn sheep and fall foliage.
Bighorn sheep and fall foliage.
Bighorn sheep and fall foliage.
Bighorn sheep and fall foliage.
Bighorn sheep and fall foliage.
Bighorn sheep and fall foliage.
A bighorn sheep has a snack
A bighorn sheep has a snack
10 Butts Mountain.  ;-)
10 Butts Mountain. 😉
Bighorn sheep and fall foliage.
Bighorn sheep and fall foliage.
Bighorn sheep head on
Bighorn sheep head on
A bighorn sheep ram poses
A bighorn sheep ram poses
Time to battle - Sequence - 1 of 2
Time to battle - Sequence - 1 of 2
Time to battle - Sequence - 2 of 2
Time to battle - Sequence - 2 of 2
Bighorn scrum
Bighorn scrum
Jockeying for position
Jockeying for position
Two handsome bighorn sheep
Two handsome bighorn sheep
Bighorn sheep and fall foliage.
Bighorn sheep and fall foliage.
Bighorn sheep and fall foliage.
Bighorn sheep and fall foliage.
An impressive bighorn.
An impressive bighorn.
Bighorn sheep and fall foliage.
Bighorn sheep and fall foliage.
A bighorn ram comes down the mountain.
A bighorn ram comes down the mountain.
One bighorn ram gives another a nudge.
One bighorn ram gives another a nudge.
Sticking is tongue out to intimidate his opponent.
Sticking is tongue out to intimidate his opponent.
Two rams face off.
Two rams face off.
Looking contemplative.
Looking contemplative.
Double trouble rams.
Double trouble rams.
Grazing at the side of the road.
Grazing at the side of the road.
A bighorn sheep lounges in the morning sun.
A bighorn sheep lounges in the morning sun.

Head on with a Bighorn

October 20, 2014 by Tony Leave a Comment

Bighorn Sheep are rugged animals capable of surviving in the sometimes harsh climate of the Rocky Mountains.  It is perhaps fitting that Colorado chose this creature to be the state’s official animal as it is a great symbol of the American West and in particular, the high country which dominates the western part of the Centennial State.

This image was taken this past Saturday as a Bighorn Ram seemed to stare right into my camera. You can view the complete gallery of images from the day below the main image.

A Bighorn Sheep looks head on into the camera.  (© Tony’s Takes)
A Bighorn Sheep looks head on into the camera. (© Tony’s Takes)
A good looking bighorn ram.
A good looking bighorn ram.
2014-10-18 1A good looking bighorn ram.1-02-26 - 0036
2014-10-18 1A good looking bighorn ram.1-02-26 - 0036
Some of the fall foliage in Waterton Canyon
Some of the fall foliage in Waterton Canyon
Bighorn ram collision sequence - 1 of 4
Bighorn ram collision sequence - 1 of 4
Bighorn ram collision sequence - 2 of 4
Bighorn ram collision sequence - 2 of 4
Bighorn ram collision sequence - 3 of 4
Bighorn ram collision sequence - 3 of 4
Bighorn ram collision sequence - 4 of 4
Bighorn ram collision sequence - 4 of 4
Bighorn rams go head to head
Bighorn rams go head to head
A bighorn ram lowers its head
A bighorn ram lowers its head
Young bighorn tries to engage a competitor
Young bighorn tries to engage a competitor
Young bighorn rams face off
Young bighorn rams face off
Bighorn rams push each other
Bighorn rams push each other
Bighorn rams push each other
Bighorn rams push each other
Bighorn sheep lamb
Bighorn sheep lamb
A young bighorn ram poses
A young bighorn ram poses
A young bighorn ram poses
A young bighorn ram poses
A young ram makes a face
A young ram makes a face
A bighorn lamb plays king of the mountain
A bighorn lamb plays king of the mountain
Bighorn sheep and fall foliage.
Bighorn sheep and fall foliage.
Bighorn sheep and fall foliage.
Bighorn sheep and fall foliage.
Bighorn sheep and fall foliage.
Bighorn sheep and fall foliage.
A bighorn sheep has a snack
A bighorn sheep has a snack
10 Butts Mountain.  ;-)
10 Butts Mountain. 😉
Bighorn sheep and fall foliage.
Bighorn sheep and fall foliage.
Bighorn sheep head on
Bighorn sheep head on
A bighorn sheep ram poses
A bighorn sheep ram poses
Time to battle - Sequence - 1 of 2
Time to battle - Sequence - 1 of 2
Time to battle - Sequence - 2 of 2
Time to battle - Sequence - 2 of 2
Bighorn scrum
Bighorn scrum
Jockeying for position
Jockeying for position
Two handsome bighorn sheep
Two handsome bighorn sheep
Bighorn sheep and fall foliage.
Bighorn sheep and fall foliage.
Bighorn sheep and fall foliage.
Bighorn sheep and fall foliage.
An impressive bighorn.
An impressive bighorn.
Bighorn sheep and fall foliage.
Bighorn sheep and fall foliage.
A bighorn ram comes down the mountain.
A bighorn ram comes down the mountain.
One bighorn ram gives another a nudge.
One bighorn ram gives another a nudge.
Sticking is tongue out to intimidate his opponent.
Sticking is tongue out to intimidate his opponent.
Two rams face off.
Two rams face off.
Looking contemplative.
Looking contemplative.
Double trouble rams.
Double trouble rams.
Grazing at the side of the road.
Grazing at the side of the road.
A bighorn sheep lounges in the morning sun.
A bighorn sheep lounges in the morning sun.

Bighorn scrum

October 18, 2014 by Tony Leave a Comment

Three rams put their heads together in a bit of a shoving contest this morning. There were more significant battles accompanied by the amazingly loud sound of their massive horns smashing into each there.

Taken in Waterton Canyon, southwest of Denver, the bighorn sheep are very popular but do require some work to see as no vehicles are allowed. The trail / dirt road is relatively easy but it was 12+ mile round trip on my bike.

Bighorn Sheep rams put their heads together in Waterton Canyon, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Bighorn Sheep rams put their heads together in Waterton Canyon, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
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