November 5, 2014
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Montana Outdoors
Wow, that’s some great close-up views!
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Comment by Sue — November 5, 2014 @ 8:35 pm
It’s that time of year. They were far more interested in the ladies than they were concerned about me.
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Comment by montucky — November 5, 2014 @ 8:46 pm
Are there two different sheep? The markings on the horns, and the end of the horns look different. One fellow looks a little more ragged than the other, as thought he’s been putting those horns to use!
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Comment by shoreacres — November 5, 2014 @ 8:48 pm
These were four in a herd of about 40 animals . There were more large rams present than I have ever seen before in one herd, and they had been fighting for dominance, as can be seen by the “brooms” at the ends of their horns. One even had a torn place on his face.
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Comment by montucky — November 5, 2014 @ 9:02 pm
“Brooms” — that’s a good word for it. All I could think of was “frayed.” Maybe that would work — as one ram said to another, “I’m a-frayed I got caught fighting.” 🙂
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Comment by shoreacres — November 5, 2014 @ 9:05 pm
All of the larger rams in the herd had seen battle recently. There is a large divot out of the right horn of the one in the second photo and the tip of the horn of the one in the third has really been torn up. When they butt, it is with awesome force.
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Comment by montucky — November 5, 2014 @ 9:16 pm
Lots of curl on them.
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Comment by wordsfromanneli — November 6, 2014 @ 2:44 am
Yes. I’d like to have seen some before the tips of the horns broke!
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Comment by montucky — November 6, 2014 @ 8:55 am
They must have been beauties!
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Comment by wordsfromanneli — November 6, 2014 @ 11:15 am
Several years ago I was hiking just a few miles from where these were and I caught sight of a huge old ram just climbing out of sight on the mountainside above me about 500 yards away. I bet some of these were from his lineage.
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Comment by montucky — November 6, 2014 @ 9:35 pm
Could be. Sounds quite likely.
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Comment by wordsfromanneli — November 6, 2014 @ 10:30 pm
Wow, very nice shots! You are very lucky to meet such a gorgeous animal!
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Comment by Lucy — November 6, 2014 @ 3:34 am
There are quite a few of them in this region, but these are the first this year that I’ve been able to photograph. They are wonderful animals!
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Comment by montucky — November 6, 2014 @ 8:56 am
Gorgeous photos!!!
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Comment by Sartenada — November 6, 2014 @ 4:32 am
Thanks you! I was lucky to be able to get close to them.
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Comment by montucky — November 6, 2014 @ 8:57 am
I wouldn’t want to be bending over a campfire with them behind me! Great shots of a rarely seen animal.
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Comment by New Hampshire Garden Solutions — November 6, 2014 @ 6:24 am
I think they could give you a ride! I’ve seen them in their dominance contests and their power and durability are awesome. I’ve been very close to them dozens of times and they have never viewed me as any kind of threat. Funny though, I’ve also seen big rams that would spook when they detected me at 500 yards.
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Comment by montucky — November 6, 2014 @ 8:59 am
Very Nice! Great Closeups!
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Comment by Reed Andariese — November 6, 2014 @ 7:19 am
These are some of my favorite shots of them, and they were very close.
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Comment by montucky — November 6, 2014 @ 9:00 am
Your photographs are amazing. The details in your mountain goat/ram are truly impressive. He is a handsome creature. Would you mind if I nabbed a screenshot to use in my blog, linking back to your blog? I might like to insert orples into other people’s work, and I am considering publishing a coffee table book at some point in time, featuring ‘Orple Adventures’ when I’ve collected enough shots, using my, and other people’s photos, to compile a book. Anyone whose photos I use would be given credit for their work. Sonel, whom you may be familiar with, has given me permission to use some of her Photographs, already, as you will soon see. In the meantime, thanks for the share. 🙂
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Comment by orples — November 6, 2014 @ 9:51 am
I’m glad that you enjoyed seeing the Bighorns! No, I don’t mind at all if you use an image. If you click on any of the photos that I post, it will take you to that image on Flickr and they make it easy to download or use a photo. All of my photos there are open to public viewing.
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Comment by montucky — November 6, 2014 @ 9:30 pm
Hi Montucky, Stupendously great pictures of the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep! I never have seen any but I have seen their desert cousins in the Anzo Borrego State Park in California near Palm Springs. Have a really nice day today!
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Comment by wildlifewatcher — November 6, 2014 @ 10:02 am
Thanks wildlifewatcher! They are wonderful creatures and I cherish every visit I have with them!
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Comment by montucky — November 6, 2014 @ 9:27 pm
Wow – what amazing detail. It looks like you got very close! Great pics.
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Comment by Jo Woolf — November 7, 2014 @ 1:44 am
Thanks! I had not tried for close-ups before. I’m pleased at how these came out.
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Comment by montucky — November 7, 2014 @ 8:42 am
Wow. Stunning images, Terry. Love them.
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Comment by Vicki — November 7, 2014 @ 4:20 am
Thanks! The light was fading fast and I was afraid that they wouldn’t be clear with a slow shutter but I’m pleased at how they turned out. The Bighorns have not been doing well here the past year. They are susceptible to pneumonia that they contract from domestic sheep and they have no resistance to it. Dozens have died in the last couple of years in the local area.
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Comment by montucky — November 7, 2014 @ 8:47 am
So sad to hear about their not doing well, Terry. I guess that will happen more and more as domestic animals enrich of the wilderness (where the wild animals roam).
I suppose that’s similar to what has happened when the Amazon jungle is being logged and small native tribes and wild animals are coming in contact with civilisation.
I know there are many environmental groups working to protect the wilderness areas, but more needs to be done (and that’s just my opinion of course).
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Comment by Vicki — November 7, 2014 @ 4:35 pm
Unfortunately the political climate here at the moment is definitely anti-environment. The new Montana Senator and Representative are both outspoken advocates of exploiting all of the National Forests and, while giving lip service to sportsmen and wildlife, are Hell bent on doing great damage to the ecosystem.
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Comment by montucky — November 7, 2014 @ 8:13 pm
Wow!
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Comment by 2ndhalfolife — November 7, 2014 @ 3:11 pm
I get that feeling around them too!
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Comment by montucky — November 7, 2014 @ 8:11 pm
Great shots of majestic animals and you saw 40?!?!?! What a sight to come upon.
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Comment by Candace — November 8, 2014 @ 2:17 pm
Bighorns are very much herd animals. All too often that is catastrophic for them when a disease strikes.
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Comment by montucky — November 8, 2014 @ 10:49 pm
you must have been very close! amazing clarity and awesome captures
that second one has really worn it’s horn, amazing to see that
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Comment by Tammie — November 9, 2014 @ 9:28 am
I was lucky to get that close. The big rams were more concerned with romance than anything else, and they had been fighting a lot. Their horns had big divots on them and the ends were pretty “broomed” out. THe whole herd looked to be in excellent condition though and ready for winter, fat with beautiful winter coats.
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Comment by montucky — November 9, 2014 @ 9:52 am
Very hard to get photos! Wow! Beautiful!
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Comment by WildBill — November 9, 2014 @ 11:18 am
This was, for some reason, the first time I’ve ever tried to get close ups of the rams faces. I am happy with them.
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Comment by montucky — November 9, 2014 @ 10:07 pm
Oh, my lord, how did I miss these fellers. What amazing animals they are, and your photos have captured that beautifully! Wow.
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Comment by Teresa Evangeline — November 14, 2014 @ 10:23 pm
I have an immense amount of admiration for them. They are so different from the other large wild animals.
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Comment by montucky — November 14, 2014 @ 11:05 pm
Superbe !
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Comment by Soizic — December 9, 2014 @ 12:56 pm
Thank you!
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Comment by montucky — December 9, 2014 @ 9:37 pm