Big Happy Family

During the holidays on a trip into the hills delivering tubs and salt to the cows, Patrick glassed the hills to see if any cows were in the wrong pastures. Through the binoculars, he spotted this herd of Big Horn Sheep. I dream about these majestic creatures. I just love to watch them. It’s rare that we see a herd this large but it is mating season for them so they stay close to one another during this time.

The ewe in charge spotted me right away so I laid on my belly and stayed as still as I could.

Many ewes and lambs went down for a nap but one ram watched me for a while.

They grazed and napped…

…and watched and listened to my shutter. Snap.Click.Snap.Click.

They got sick of me after a while and got up to move to the next location.

They are so incredible to watch and even though I slithered on my belly like a snake through deer poop and cactus, it was well worth it to get a glimpse into their afternoon together as a family.

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Ewes and Lambs

We worked cattle on the Plains the other day. Every time we make the drive up there our eyes are peeled and our necks are bent looking for sheep on the hillsides. We haven’t seen any in a while but this particular day, we got an up close sighting of two ewes and their lambs.

Through the windshield we saw a little white butt and I said “what is tha…” , at the same time Patrick was whisperyelling “big horn sheep big horn sheep!”

We waited to see where they were going and then crept up slowly beside them.

Watching them climb the rocky mountainside with such grace and agility is truely magical. It’s like watching synchronized swimming or something.

We stayed for about 3 or 4 minutes for pictures and then we left them alone. They were on a mission and we interrupted them. But how can you not stop and take it all in. They are really beautiful creatures.

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