My Favorite Desert Bighorn Sheep Photos - Part II

Continuing with my favorite Desert Bighorn Sheep photos:

My Favorite Desert Bighorn Sheep Photos - Part I

I'll do this in two parts. 

I have found Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep in the White Mountains of Arizona, but have had trouble finding Desert Bighorns. They always seemed more elusive. Desert Bighorn Sheep have adapted to the desert and are quite unlike their Rocky Mountain cousins. 

The Desert Bighorn Sheep can go three weeks without water. That means they can stay high up in the mountains far from sight most of the time. I had looked many times in many places: Cabeza Prieta, Cibola, Imperial, and Kofa National Wildlife Refuges, Barry Goldwater Range, Yuma Proving Ground, and Organ Pipe Cactus National Park, all of which have fairly substantial populations (200 to 800). 

What you have to do is put yourself in the place with the most potential; meaning: time of year, time of day, and rugged mountainous terrain. The Yuma Proving Ground just north of Imperial NWR was the answer. There is but one road into this area starting at Imperial NWR. After about five miles (through Imperial) you reach a desolate area of the YPG. This is a 4x4 high clearance "road" only. Definitely not for the faint of heart. I had done this three times before without luck. The first time I blew out a tire and had to return 115 miles to the nearest city (Yuma) to get it replaced. The next two times I made it all the way to where the road dead ends. This is gorgeous country. And I had it all to myself.  

You drive up into the mountains. The mountains aren't tall, maybe 200-400 feet above ground level. But, they are very rugged which makes them perfect bighorn terrain. Each time I had gone through this one spot, I would say "if I were a bighorn sheep, I would want to be here."  

NOTE: There is a wonderful book, "Counting Sheep: 20 Ways of Seeing Desert Bighorn" which is a collection of 20 essays from writers who also love nature and wildlife and who went out searching (some finding) the desert bighorns.

I have found them several times in this area, plus Canyon Lake along Apache Trail, east of Phoenix.

Desert Bighorn Sheep -- VI

One last "5" Star Desert Bighorn photo.

I love looking for, finding, and photographing Bighorn Sheep and Mountain Goats. I think this is partly due to their special skills, i.e. ability to climb mountain cliffs of 70 or more degrees. Mountain Goats have beautiful white coats and Bighorn Sheep Rams have these amazing 40 pound horns that they use in "ramming" each other. Their horns eventually get so large that they prevent the Ram from seeing sideways. So, the Rams "file" down the tips on rocks in order to see better.

Today's photo was my first Desert Bighorn Ram sighting. Imagine my excitement in finding three Rams, side-by-side on the edge of a cliff. I couldn't wait to get back home and see the photo. I, of course, continued my trip but was, in fact, thrilled to see the result when I did get home:

Desert Bighorn Sheep

Desert Bighorn Sheep versus Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep

I have found Desert Bighorn Sheep at Imperial National Wildlife Refuge, in the Trigo Mountains, and on the cliffs of Tortilla Flat above Canyon Lake. Interestingly, all three are locations with permanent access to water. Two other main Desert Bighorn sites in Arizona are Kofa National Wildlife Refuge and Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge. I've not found them in either of those locations -- although not for the lack of trying. I'm guessing that because neither of those locations have a permanent water source the Bighorns are more scattered and stay up at higher elevations where human access is more challenging. 

A second interesting observation is that only 125 miles (as the crow flies) East of where the Canyon Lake Desert Bighorns live, I have found Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep. Of course, in that 125 miles you climb 5,000 feet.

Desert Bighorns look very similar to Rocky Mountain Bighorns, although somewhat smaller. The most significant difference, however, is that the Desert Bighorns have become well adapted to living in the desert heat and cold. And, unlike the Rocky Mountain Bighorns, their body temperature can safely fluctuate several degrees. Other physiological differences allow them to go without water for weeks or months, sustaining their body moisture from food and rainwater collected in temporary rock pools. They can lose up to 30 percent of their body weight during the hot summer months ((much like bears when hibernating in the winter). While bears find dens for the winter, Desert Bighorns often find caves to keep cool during the hot summer days.  

Today, I'll show two "4" Star Photos (Neither rises to my "5" Star Level). The first is of the Canyon Lake Desert Bighorns, the second is the Blue Mountain Rocky Mountain Bighorns.

Desert Bighorn Sheep -- Tortilla Flat above Canyon Lake, Arizona

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep -- Blue Mountains, Arizona

Desert Bighorn Sheep - V

Still a couple more "5" Star Desert Bighorn Photos. This one again taken on the cliffs of the Trigo Mountains in Southwest Arizona. Looking for Desert Bighorn Sheep is always challenging. They are typically high up on mountain cliffs where there is not much vegetation. You might think that would make it easier because they are exposed. However, their coloration blends into their surroundings so well you could be looking right at them and not see them. What I look for is the "white rump." But, even then sometimes what I initially think is a Bighorn is just a yucca plant. Today's photo lets you see what I mean:

Desert Bighorn Sheep - Ram

Desert Bighorn Sheep -- Rams

I have spent quite a lot of time over the years looking for, finding, and photographing large mammals. For the hoofed mammals, that includes Caribou, Elk, Moose, White Tailed Deer, Black Tailed Deer, Mule Deer, Coues Deer, Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, California Bighorn Sheep, and Desert Bighorn Sheep. (Oh, and throw in some Javelinas as well).

Sometimes it feels like the most difficult task is trying to decide which are the "5" Star Photos once I get home. I like this particular photo  -- partly because I had to "work" to get into position for an "eye-level" shot. But also, because of the magnificence of the Ram and his regal stance.

This photo was taken in the Trigo Mountains of Southwestern Arizona five 10 miles from the Colorado River.

Desert Bighorn Sheep - Ram

Desert Bighorn Sheep - III

Continuing yesterday's story, the young Desert Bighorn I photographed down by the water then ran up to the top of the hill and stood next to the second young ewe that didn't go down for a drink. From there the two young ewes stared at me until I decided to leave.

Side Story: Last night we watched the movie "My Cousin Vinny." It's a family favorite. In the movie there is a conversation like this:

Vinny Gambini: It is possible that the two yutes...

Judge Chamberlain Haller: ...Ah, the two what? Uh... uh, what was that word?

Vinny Gambini: Uh... what word?

Judge Chamberlain Haller: Two what?

Vinny Gambini: What?

Judge Chamberlain Haller: Uh... did you say 'yutes'?

Vinny Gambini: Yeah, two yutes.

Judge Chamberlain Haller: What is a yute?

Vinny Gambini: [beat] Oh, excuse me, your honor...

[exaggerated]

Vinny Gambini: Two YOUTHS.

So here are Two Ewe's, or Yutes, or Youths:

Desert Bighorn Sheep - Ewe's

Desert Bighorn Sheep Sprinting

Here's a fun encounter that led to another "5" Star Photo. I was in Imperial National Wildlife Refuge when I saw a couple of ewe's in the cliffs on the desert (as opposed to the Colorado River) side of the road. I took a few photos and continued on my journey. A couple of hours later I was passing through the same area, this time going out on the bluff overlooking the river and its various backwater ponds. As I did, I saw both ewes walking down toward one of the ponds. Although I kept my distance and tried not to disturb them, one stopped while the second continued down to the pond.  Once she got to the water she disappeared in the vegetation, so I tried to get a better angle to photograph. Once she finished drinking she noticed that I was much closer and started running up the hill. That's when I took this photo:

Desert Bighorn Sheep

I'll continue the story tomorrow with another "5" Star Photo.

Desert Bighorn Sheep

The alphabetical list of my "5" Star Photos continues now with the Desert Bighorn Sheep.  Desert Bighorn Sheep have similar weight and size characteristics as the California and Rocky Mountain Bighorns. However, over the centuries they have adapted to the lack of water in their desert environment. Desert Bighorns can go three weeks or more without water. They have the ability to adapt to a dehydrated state, re-hydrating when they find water. This adaptive strategy allows them to live in areas where their predators -- mainly mountain lions can't live (because of the lack of water).

The Desert Bighorn population is estimated at about 18,000, almost entirely in Arizona, Southern California, and Nevada. FDR established the Cabeza Prieta and Kofa National Wildlife Refuges specifically to protect Desert Bighorns in Arizona.

This "5" Star "trophy-like" photo was taken in the Trigo Mountains not far from the Colorado River.

Desert Bighorn Sheep - Ewe

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.

Photo Trip: Imperial National Wildlife Refuge - VII

I made four trips out Red Cloud Mine Road from Imperial NWR through Yuma Proving Ground to Red Cloud Mine. On each trip, either on the way out, on the way back, or both I came across one or two Desert Bighorn Sheep. I have noticed -- especially with Bears -- that half the time you come across a large mammal in the wilderness they run away; a quarter of the time they walk away; which leaves one quarter of the time I might get a good photo -- as long as I don't screw up. The case today was the one-quarter that they walk away. This large Ram started walking away as soon as he saw me. However, I did get several photos before he disappeared over the mountain. Here is that sequence:

Photo Trip: Imperial National Wildlife Refuge - VI

Another wonderful experience while at Imperial National Wildlife Refuge last week was finding and photographing a Desert Bighorn Ewe and her lamb:

 Soon after I arrived they headed up and over a ridge. First the lamb:

 Then the Ewe. Of course she stopped to see what I was doing:

 Then down the other side:

Of course, this seemed a little trickier for the lamb:

 But eventually they were back to eating:

Photo Trip: Imperial National Wildlife Refuge - V

Photographing Bighorn Sheep: Like most large mammals, putting yourself in the place with the most potential requires study and forethought. First, you have to look in an area where they exist. Looking for Bighorn Sheep in downtown Tucson or Phoenix probably would not produce a favorable result (except at the zoo). Bighorn Sheep like "rocky" mountains with jagged peaks where they can see predators easily and climb away from danger. They also need a water source. However, Desert Bighorn Sheep can go three weeks without water, so sitting by a water source in the mountains may not produce a favorable result either. Time of day is also a factor with early morning or late in the day often offering the most potential. However, time of day is more critical for some animals than others. Moose in particular are morning and early evening creatures. Feral Burros are the same. That's not to say you can't find them midday, it's just the the potential is not as great. Desert Bighorn Sheep, on the other hand, are more accustomed to higher temperatures and midday offers the same potential. So, at Imperial National Wildlife Refuge, last week, I was looking for Feral Burros in the early morning and late afternoon, while midday looking for Bighorns.

Even if you find Desert Bighorns, and even if they are relatively close to you, and even if they are willing to let you photograph them, there are still challenges. Lighting can present a problem when the animal is between you and the sun. What might be a great photograph may turn out to be just a silhouette. If they are on the side of a mountain, putting yourself between them and the sun would require you to climb above them ---  but, they are just not going to let that happen. Some adjustments can be made in photo software (photoshop, light room, iPhoto, Aperture), but the loss of detail is hard to correct. 

In this first photo, the sun has turned what could have been a great photo into a so-so photo:

But carefully and slowly moving around to get the sky out of the background so the light is indirect, produced a much better result (of the same Ram and Ewe in very close to the same area):

I spent about 45 minutes getting into position for the above photo.

Photo Trip: Imperial National Wildlife Refuge - IV

The section of Red Cloud Mine Road that is within the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge boundary offers access for animals to get to the Colorado River. As I was driving out toward the mine late in the afternoon I saw two Ewes that appeared to want to cross the road and go down to the river for a drink. In the first photo, the more dominant Ewe crossed the road and toward the river. The second Ewe -- in the second photo -- climbed to the highest spot around to see what I was doing. So I backed away to allow that Ewe to follow her friend.

I came around the back side after that and could see the first Ewe heading toward water, next three photos:

However, she noticed that her friend -- the more cautious one -- wasn't budging now:

So she raced up the hill to be with her friend:

Now the two were together again. I love the second photo of them together.

At this point I decided to leave them and continue up the road and let them get back to the water for a drink. (I apologized for the intrusion, and thanked them for allowing me to photograph them).

Photo Trip: Imperial National Wildlife Refuge - III

Sometimes as soon as a wild animal sees you they run. Nothing you can do but watch or take a photo of their backside as in this case with a nice sized Bighorn Ram:

This was way out Red Cloud Mine Road. There goes that "white rump."

But, every once in a while an animal will be willing to sit still and pose for you. I spent a good 30 with this nice Ram getting some good photos. Finally, I just said thank you and goodbye, leaving him to continue on his own without my presence.

(You can click on an image to enlarge).