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This subspecies of bighorns grazes on the desert floor, then rests on elevated rocky outcroppings.

1. Dominant ram with juvenile


2. Lead ewe and dominant ram after an exhausting mating chase in the desert heat.


3. Dominant ram surveying his domain.

John,
I loved the first one most and I like them all. The eyes of the Ram are so vivid and striking.

Sury

Great shots John. The first one, I think, is especially good.

They are fantastic looking animals. Are they used to people? How did you go about getting the shots?

sury wrote:John,
I loved the first one most and I like them all. The eyes of the Ram are so vivid and striking.
Sury

Thanks, Sury!

Birma wrote:Great shots John. The first one, I think, is especially good.

They are fantastic looking animals. Are they used to people? How did you go about getting the shots?

Thanks, Birma. They are not used to people and will leave at any sign of threat. The trick is to be very patient, be still, avert your gaze, and pretend like you are ignoring them. After an initial alarm signal, they quickly accepted me as long as I did not approach them directly. In contrast, another photographer moved quickly toward them, causing them to leave, and spoiling the photo opportunities for me, two other more considerate photographers, and himself, even after we asked him to not scare away the animals. Fortunately, the layout of the rock outcroppings allowed me to hike to the other side, where the bighorns took refuge from the aggressive, clueless photographer. I was gratified that the animals did not associate me with him; they moved within 20m of where I was standing in full view and continued to let me photograph as they grazed, rested, etc.

Fantastic!!

Thanks for the explanation John. It must have been very annoying to have your patience ruined and I'm glad you were able to recover. It must be great to be so close to these wild animals.

Very good shots of the Desert Bighorn Sheep, John.

All are good in my case. Each photo a different story.


Thanks for sharing,

Yildiz

I like the first one especially because they look like they are talking to each other, as in the old bull and the young bull standing together on the hilltop surveying the scene down below where all the pretty cows are grazing joke.
And the second one could be a follow on from that.
And the third is pretty much a follow on from that too, great shots.
Greg