Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep climbing the cliffs in the Big Thompson Canyon
Yesterday, as we were driving through the Big Thompson Canyon, west of Loveland, Colorado, heading up to Rocky Mountain National Park these sheep could be seen from the road.
We stopped to photograph them, which was a first for me. Two ewes were along side the road and the other ewe was up the canyon wall about thirty feet.
Bighorn sheep are named for the large, curved horns borne by the rams (males). Ewes (females) also have horns, but they are shorter with less curvature. They range in color from light brown to grayish or dark, chocolate brown, with a white rump and lining on the backs of all four legs. (as described on the wikipedia web-site).
These images are of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep; they are large, with males occasionally exceeding 500 pounds and females exceeding 200 pounds.
Pretty Face – Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep climbing the cliffs in the Big Thompson CanyonRocky Mountain bighorn sheep (ewe). What does she see?I think I have her attention; she was very high up the cliff.Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep eating grass (ewe)Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (ewe)Off she goes leaving the other two!Just for fun!
The Big Thompson Canyon is beautiful and rugged. I hope these images give you a feel of how the canyon looks during the summer. With all of our rain this spring and summer the lush grasses and other vegetation are plentiful. Good for them, good for us!
Such beautiful images. When we lived in Yellowstone for a couple of years, one evening near dusk I was driving down the hill from Mammoth into Gardiner, and came upon two rams on the side of the rode going through an amazing ritual, butting heads. I felt so blessed to experience something this grand that I had only seen on television.
LuAnn, what a fantastic experience that must have been. Yellowstone and The Tetons are one of my all time favorite areas. I remember visiting Yellowstone for the first time. We left New Orleans, flew into Denver, and rented two Town Cars. There were four of us with all our camping gear. Too funny. I will never forget seeing two Antelope fighting in the middle of the road.
Sounds like you have lived in several places, beautiful places.
Wolf Song Blog 
GREAT photo’s my friend!!!
Thanks much! I am glad you like them. Love and hugs to you and your crew!
Such beautiful images. When we lived in Yellowstone for a couple of years, one evening near dusk I was driving down the hill from Mammoth into Gardiner, and came upon two rams on the side of the rode going through an amazing ritual, butting heads. I felt so blessed to experience something this grand that I had only seen on television.
LuAnn, what a fantastic experience that must have been. Yellowstone and The Tetons are one of my all time favorite areas. I remember visiting Yellowstone for the first time. We left New Orleans, flew into Denver, and rented two Town Cars. There were four of us with all our camping gear. Too funny. I will never forget seeing two Antelope fighting in the middle of the road.
Sounds like you have lived in several places, beautiful places.