I cannot imagine that I will ever be blessed with a better opportunity/encounter with Bighorn Sheep as I was the morning of 20 May, 2023.
It was shortly after sunrise as I rounded a bend in Custer State Park when I noticed 6-7 Bighorn Sheep to my left getting ready to cross the road. I stopped the car immediately in the middle of the road and turned on my emergency flashers (In my world this is an emergency!) and prayed they would not scamper back in the direction they had traveled.
I was apparently the only one in the area as they “sheepishly” crossed the road in a near robotic, high alert fashion. One in particular then assumed the role of protector as the others moved into the rocks, he stood in the middle of the road, twice bowing his head to expose the large, flat portion of his horns. I believe in his world; this was the equivalent of pulling your jacket aside to show that you have a gun!
Once the guardian cleared the road, I got out of my car with great hope of just getting one good shot. Little did I know that they wound go down into a small ravine, disappear for a few moments and reappear on a beautifully, naturally landscaped rocky area…in perfect light. It was there that they seemed to instantly relax and start grazing about, always keeping one eye on me.
For about 20 minutes of so I stood alone in the road, my right hand shaking due to weakness from a shoulder replacement, my left shaking from excitement! I was amazed to find that any of my shots were in focus. So blessed by the encounter, so close that I could observe the flexibility of their ankles and hooves as they slowly started climbing the rocks.
I look at these photos now and thank God for the blessing, and for the continued hope that it will take for me to continue to roll out of bed at 4:20 in the morning!
Posted by flintframer on 2023-06-10 11:44:29
Tagged: , Longhorn , Sheep , Wild , WOW , NGC , Wildlife , Nature , Natural , Outside , Outdoors , Spring , Springtime , Adult , Male , Portrait , Posing , Mother-Nature , Custer , State , Park , South , Dakota , Blessing , Rocks , Pines , trees , Animal , Animals , Mammal , Mammals , Dattilo , Canon , 7D , MarkII , EF600mm
