In the evening at Glacier National Park it was almost a certainty that we would find at least one of these cool creatures hanging out on Logan Pass. On this, what was our first day in our park, this one was content to lay on the snow and stay cool.
Mountain Goat kid stands tall
Taken back in August, this little gal was hanging out with her herd near the top of Mount Evans just as the sun was coming over the horizon. My friend and I had to hike a good ways at 13,000 feet to get a good view of them and while it was cold and the air extremely thin, it was well worth it.
Mountain Goats are actually considered an invasive species here in Colorado as they are not native to the Centennial State having been brought here in the early 20th century as a tourist attraction. Unfortunately Mountain Goats can carry diseases which are deadly to our state’s official animal, the Big Horn Sheep. When the goats roam into sheep territory, they are often killed to prevent them from infecting the sheep.
Mountain Goat in black and white
A bit of a different look that I kind of like. This was taken back in August near the top of Mount Evans, Colorado. The goats weren’t particularly cooperative on this day and wanted to keep their distance but I managed a few nice captures.
Mountain Goats are actually considered an invasive species here in Colorado as they are not native to the Centennial State having been brought here in the early 20th century as a tourist attraction and game animal. Unfortunately Mountain Goats can carry diseases which are deadly to our state’s official animal, the Big Horn Sheep. When the goats roam into sheep territory, they are often killed to prevent them from infecting the sheep.
Move along kids
This image was taken back in August when the flowers were still blooming and the colors were just starting to hint at changing. Unfortunately I won’t be back up to visit these cool creatures until next spring at the earliest. The road up the to the top of the 14,265 foot high peak closes tomorrow for the season as wintry weather will soon make it impassable. ?
Following in dad’s footsteps
This Mountain Goat kid was sticking close to a male as they worked their way up Mount Evans on Sunday. When the herd came to a stop the kid would show some independence but when on the move, it seemed to want to stick close to the adult.
Did you know Mountain Goats aren’t native to Colorado? They are actually native to the Pacific Northwest and northern Rocky Mountains. The animals were brought to the Centennial State in the 1940s and 50s as game animals and as tourist attractions.
Back off, junior!
One of the senior members of Mount Evans’ Mountain Goat herd lets a juvenile know he / she was getting a bit too rambunctious. The young one was quite active and playful, bounding around, butting the others. This particular adult was in no mood to play though and knocked junior down a peg or two.
As long as Mother Nature cooperates, I am definitely going to try to get back up there for another visit with this cool creatures.
You really want to take a picture of me doing this???
Mountain Goat near the top of Mount Evans, Colorado this morning is seen ‘taking care of business.’ My first time back there since about this same time last year. Last year they were very accessible and only 30 feet away. This year they were in a shallow alpine valley that required a pretty good hike and they were a bit skittish so I kept my distance. Going down was easy; up not so much. There sure isn’t much air at 13,000+ feet!
Mountain Goat adult and kid sample the rocks
I am smiling this evening because word came out today that the Colorado Department of Transportation? has opened the road to the top of Mount Evans. Awesome! That means in the coming weeks I should be able to make the journey to the 14,265 foot mountain and spend some time with these cool creatures again. This image taken on August 17, 2014.
Mountain Goat kid in the early morning sun
With spring here I have been thinking about these cool animals and how much I am looking forward to photographing them again. Unfortunately that will have to wait as the road to where they reside at the top of the 14,265 foot high Mount Evans will remain closed until the end of May due to snow.
Mountain Goats are actually considered an invasive species here in Colorado as they are not native to the Centennial State having been brought here in the early 20th century as a tourist attraction. Unfortunately Mountain Goats can carry diseases which are deadly to our state’s official animal, the Big Horn Sheep. When the goats roam into sheep territory, they are often killed to prevent them from infecting the sheep.
Mountain Goat profile
This mountain goat was more than willing to pose for me back in August. Taken on a cold, blustery morning on top Colorado’s Mount Evans, the goats provided hours of photo opportunities. They actually are an invasive species in the state having been brought here in the mid to late 20th century.