Canyon Lake: Desert Bighorn Sheep

Pardon the interruption. I'll get back to my "5" Star Photos tomorrow. Saturday I had the opportunity to play "tourist." Christine and I met our daughter and her family at Canyon Lake which is near Tortilla Flat along the Apache Trail 60 miles east of Phoenix. The agenda:  a picnic and Steamboat Ride on the Lake. The "Dolly Steamboat" took us up into the canyon where we not only had some wonderful scenery, but got to see some Desert Bighorn Sheep grazing along the canyon walls.  So, I thought I'd share a few of those Bighorn Sheep photos. The black streaks in the last two photos are marks from years of "waterfalls" during the monsoon season.

Finding Bighorn Sheep is sometimes challenging even when they are in the area you are looking. First, they could be far away. Binoculars or a spotting scope may even be necessary.  Second, they "blend." Mother nature has provided them with a camouflage coat making it difficult to spot them. Often the best way is to look for the "white rump." In the above photo there is a Bighorn. You'll have to look closely to find it.

Here is a closeup using a 400mm lens of the same shot as above. You can now see the Bighorn more easily. He's looking down at us.

A little later two Bighorns were grazing on the vegetation. I took 15 or so photos -- most of which the Bighorns had their head turned or pointing down as they were eating, so it took a while to get the one I wanted. And here it is (above).

On the return, we spotted six Bighorns. Love the little guy on the left going into the cave. This photo also gives you a good idea of the setting. It's a sheer cliff. The many caves provide shelter.