Local Big Horn Sheep

[Wrightwood]

Mike from Mt. Hardware was fortunate enough to get a close look at 4 big horn sheep a couple of weeks ago. While hiking on top of a local mountain peak (near a Boy Scout camp) he was able to capture a series of photos. He stood there motionless for 20 minutes the big horn continued to move closer to him as the prevailing wind was just right to go unnoticed. The first photo is when he was first noticed by the lead animal.

Remember if your lucky enough to spot some of these magnificent creatures, you're the visitor to their home.

[Nolena]

Way cool pictures! Lucky Mike!

[tinkbellblonde]

That is soooo awesome - that must have been amazing!!!  I'm so jealous....

[Mountain_Witch]

WOW! That is just way too kewl. I just hope the heard fairs better this year and the population increases. I think the fires may have been just what they needed to created more grazing opportunities for them. Only time will tell.

[Wrightwood]

What Fish & Game experts are trying to determine is why Mountain Lions are killing the Big Horn Sheep instead of their normal prey of deer.

[Mountain_Witch]

That will be an interesting study to hear the results from. I hope it's not saying that our deer population is hurting too. Unless the sheep seem to be just tastier than the deer.

[clint]

Maybe some Mt. Lions just prefer Mutton to  Venison.

[Chesslike]

Maybe some Mt. Lions just prefer Mutton to  Venison.

I heard that the mountain lions just recently discoved that the horns of the big horn sheep can be used in a love potion, so they are skipping the dear cause they now get food and some lov'n  in one package.

[Wrightwood]

Clint, Gus & Admin went on a hike looking for Big Horn Sheep in a local hiking area this morning. (After RobertW's sightings over the weekend)

While looking for Big Horn Sheep tell tale signs are indicated by scat and fresh tracks as seen in the 2 photos:





Next comes the exciting part.... Spotting them near the top of a ridge.

[RobertW]

[Mountain_Witch]

What an exciting and rewarding hike it was this morning. We actually accomplished what we set forth to see.......the ever elusive Big Horn Sheep.

Thanks Wrightwood, for letting Mr. Witch and I tag along.

RobertW, the picture of the sheep at the top of the ridge is a great shot with the blue sky behind them. Don't let Wrightwood intimidate you so much.

[Wrightwood]

RobertW,
that last shot is great.

Thanks for your assistance as we've wanted local Big Horn Sheep pictures for our forum visitors, for a long time.

Now, to get a bigger lens for the camera  

[rmekemson]

I sincerely hope you all know just how lucky you were to see these magnificent animals in their own environment.  

[Nolena]

WONDERFUL pictures!!  
In a past life, I learned that the males stay in herds with other males most of the time, and the females hang with other females & young sheep. I saw them mate a few times. They do it on the run, running accross their typical habitat!   It's amazing they ever reproduce.

[clint]

Nolena, Thanks. We were wondering about this heard being all males. Do the Females hang out nearby for protection or do they have their own range away from the males?

[DesertRaven]

[RobertW]

[Nolena]

Got a chart for ewes, or is it harder to determine their age?

[RobertW]

[tinkbellblonde]