Two young rams testing each other.

This is going to hurt.

Take that you whimp.

I was just getting ready to leave when this monster came over the edge of the canyon with one thing on his mind. Love was in the air and he could smell it.

There was thunder in the air when he arrived and the others new it. His coat was a darker brown, huge wide shoulders, massive horns and other parts as well. The whold atmosphere changes when he arrived.

This is the big guy and his chosen one. A few larger rams tried to nudge themselves in but with little success.

One last sniff just to make sure she is ready. The Ewes would urinate and then the ram would sniff to determine exactly when the right time was to approach.

brings back memories. I was in the Wisky mt range and south of Cody , Wyoming in December a few years ago to photograph the bighorns.

Nice work

Gerald

The next image had to be deleted due to graphic nature of the events, but the look on his face here says it all. This was certainly a highlight of my life to witness these amazing animal in natural circustances. When the big ram finally mated, it was like all heck broke loose. Every ram including the small ones tried to mate at the same time. The ewes were running away as fast as they could. They were running right past me only a few feet away, and the rams were trying to run and mate at the same time. What an experience. Hope you enjoyed these images and the description of what I saw. Bruce

wiens51 wrote:
brings back memories. I was in the Wisky mt range and south of Cody , Wyoming in December a few years ago to photograph the bighorns.

Nice work

Gerald
Thanks Gerald, you are a lucky man to have been there. Bruce

what a great sequence - excellent IQ

Marcy Starnes wrote:
what a great sequence - excellent IQ
Thanks Marcy, I appreciate it. Bruce

B Benson wrote:
I was just getting ready to leave when this monster came over the edge of the canyon with one thing on his mind. Love was in the air and he could smell it.

Bruce, I warned you about wearing that cologne

It is one of my favorite animals to photograph so I've really enjoyed your series. I have put this on my calendar for 2008. Hope to see you there.

Leo

Wonderful series, Bruce. Would love to get up there and get in on the action, no not that action, the image taking kind. You've really done a fine job here.

Ok, lets plan on it and we can save on expences. Keep in mind they close the road on December 1. bruce

jleom wrote:
B Benson wrote:
I was just getting ready to leave when this monster came over the edge of the canyon with one thing on his mind. Love was in the air and he could smell it.

Bruce, I warned you about wearing that cologne

It is one of my favorite animals to photograph so I've really enjoyed your series. I have put this on my calendar for 2008. Hope to see you there.

Leo
Ok Leo lets plan on it. Keep in mind that they close the road on December 1

#s 2, 3 and the last just are wow cool!
Susan

cbright wrote:
Wonderful series, Bruce. Would love to get up there and get in on the action, no not that action, the image taking kind. You've really done a fine job here.
Thanks, Chris it was indeed a neat experience. Bruce

suemcc wrote:
#s 2, 3 and the last just are wow cool!
Susan
Glad you liked them. Bruce

It's been an awesome series to view, Bruce, and you certainly saved some of the best for last That last shot is priceless when taking the whole story into account

Ken

When the big ram finally mated, it was like all heck broke loose. Every ram including the small ones tried to mate at the same time. The ewes were running away as fast as they could. They were running right past me only a few feet away, and the rams were trying to run and mate at the same time. What an experience.

Wonderful shots and great dialogue that added to the excitement of the shots. Very cool! Steve W

Mr Zoom wrote:
It's been an awesome series to view, Bruce, and you certainly saved some of the best for last That last shot is priceless when taking the whole story into account
Thanks Ken, I am glad you enjoyed it.

alameda wrote:
When the big ram finally mated, it was like all heck broke loose. Every ram including the small ones tried to mate at the same time. The ewes were running away as fast as they could. They were running right past me only a few feet away, and the rams were trying to run and mate at the same time. What an experience.

Wonderful shots and great dialogue that added to the excitement of the shots. Very cool! Steve W
Thank you Steve, I hope to return next year and add to the story. Bruce

Super nice, Bruce! Love all that action!
Great looking heavy-duty ram.

Herderdog wrote:
Super nice, Bruce! Love all that action!
Great looking heavy-duty ram.
Thanks Bonnie, He was magnificent Bruce