Rocky Mountain Bighorn Rams!

I was over in Montana last month, and was fortunate to find a band of 4 Bighorn rams. This was a mature group, as each of the 4 was either close to a full curl or better than a full curl. It's been difficult for me to find rams like this, as so many of the sheep that live near me over here in WA have smaller, thinner horns than their Montana counterparts.

I never did get a decent image of all 4. Although they allowed me to get quite close, they all had this maddening tendency of turning their hindsides toward me. It was a real challenge to get any images at all where they were facing me, but I did manage a few - but only of one ram at a time. I think that they didn't like looking into the bright sun any more than I enjoyed photographing their backsides. Perhaps I'll find them again on an overcast day

If anyone would like to see a couple more images of these rams, just ask and I'd be glad to post more.

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Nice shots, Tom.

I know what you mean about rams turning away from the camera- just got back from a beautiful drive up through the Rockies, we must have shot 10 gigs of sheep butt...

I really like the first one - a nice natural portrait They're some huge, thick horns!

It is unfortunate that the horns are broomed. When they get this big, the horns get in the way of their sight, so they tend to knock the ends off them so they can see better (called brooming). I have yet to see any this big that are not broomed. Great images though. Need to go find some to the west of my place.

Cheers,

WesternGuy

WesternGuy wrote in post #8616832
It is unfortunate that the horns are broomed. When they get this big, the horns get in the way of their sight, so they tend to knock the ends off them so they can see better (called brooming). I have yet to see any this big that are not broomed. Great images though. Need to go find some to the west of my place.

Cheers,

WesternGuy

Hey, Westernguy!
Need to find 'em west of your place? Where is your place? Perhaps I could help - I know of a ram in Glacier that still has his lamb tips . . .

Tom, I am talking about Banff and Jasper parks here in the Great White North and there are a few in an area west of here before you get to Banff, called the Kananaskis Country. Was there a couple of weeks ago (Kananaskis) and saw a small herd of females and lambs. Maybe the males have come down off the hills looking for the females...it is that time of year!!

Cheers,

WesternGuy

I like the 2nd photo Tom, the light is good and having the 3 rams posed similarly is nice. For the time being a majority of the large rams in this area are up higher where there is little road access.

The 2nd is way different than the standard...I like it.

Terrific shots. I really like the second one -- unusual angle.

Great shots!!! Post more!!!

Nice pics! I too would like to see more posted.

stephensphoto wrote in post #8621691
Great shots!!! Post more!!!

Thanks, Steven! I was waiting for someone to ask for more.

The first is a ram as he looks over his domain. The second is the only shot in which I was able to show all 4 together.

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