Okay, no mountain lions yesterday, so back to Imperial National Wildlife Refuge and the Desert Bighorn Sheep. I have been a many places around Arizona looking for Desert Bighorn Sheep and Feral Burros. Without a doubt the most reliable place to find them both is Imperial National Wildlife Refuge on the Arizona side of the Colorado River. The Burros are a sure thing in late afternoon, an hour to two before dark. They are a good bet early morning as well. However, they tend to disappear during the day. That's not to say you won't find them midday, it's just not a sure thing. The Desert Bighorn Sheep are a bit different. It could be any time of the day, but they are harder to find. And, it will usually require a very good (Jeep) 4x4 with off-road tires and high clearance. While the Burros are in the washes and on the plateaus, the Bighorns are in the rugged mountains at or beyond Imperial's northern boundary. These Bighorns are a little more difficult to find and photograph because they blend in so well with the mountains. You have to look for the "white" of their backside to find them. What makes it a little easier is that you are in the mountains too. The mountain slopes are on either side of you and right up close. But, every once in a while they stand out. They are at the top or at the skyline. Here are some examples from my trip:
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| Actually there are two Bighorn Rams here, one lying down the other standing. |
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| Bighorn Ram looking at me from a distance. |
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| A Bighorn Ram and two Ewes. |
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| The same Ram and two Ewes a little closer. |
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| Three Bighorn Rams |
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