Waterton Canyon Bighorn Sheep, Part I

I was outside chatting with my neighbor Jim this past Saturday, and he mentioned that he'd been to Waterton Canyon twice in the past week and seen herds of bighorn sheep both times.

And just like that, my plans for Sunday afternoon were set.

The herd wasn't exactly hard to find.  Just a couple of miles up the trail there were about 30 of them right alongside the dirt road.

There were five good-sized males in the group, none of which were really exhibiting any sort of aggressive behavior.

Straight on, though, they certainly look like they'd mess you up.

But they were mainly just chilling while the womenfolk and kids grazed.  Another fellow who stopped said their rut doesn't start until early December.

They couldn't have cared any less about all the walkers and bikers who stopped to gawk and take pictures, myself included.  I felt like I was doing a whole portfolio for this guy -- 3/4 shot first ...

... OK, now one straight on.  Great, thanks.

There were a couple of younglings in the group, like this one who generally stayed pretty close to a female I assume was the mother.

Photobomb with the focus on the bomber.

One male did walk up to another who was lying down and proceeded to loom over him and occasionally make a sound I can only describe as growling.

I thought for sure something was going to go down between these two.  But the guy on the ground couldn't have possibly ignored the instigator any more.

Click here for Part II.