Sweethearts, actually. I've been following these three for several years now. On a recent hike they let me hang out for an hour, as close as fifty feet from them. A few pics for fun:
This one is from 2007; the middle girl is preggers at the time:
A chill wind rolls in the clouds as sunset nears, and the bighorn trio emerges to browse:
"Does snowbush make me look fat?"
Limned on the skyline:
With my (cheap trick) whistle for this photo, only the older girl paid heed. The younger didn't even turn her ears to me. "Meh."
That was a good catch of that 3/4 curl fellow, Kathy. I think I know which one that is. On the west slope of the RR route these curled fur girls 'n guys have a few well-trod use trails. Looks about halfway up in your photo, with the broad steep expanse with sparse trees. (should be skiable this winter if the snow comes as hoped... :^)
cougarmagic, thanks for the kind words.
Their winter coats do appear lighter and brighter, with a darker denser ruff. There may well be a "dust effect" for much of the year, til the winter white stuff cleanses the critters.
Their bedding areas for the most part have dirt floors, during the dry months. (from which I keep my distance, generally, these days.) The grassy crop-cot-circles of springtime are a transitory dream by the end of summer.
arocknoid wrote:
cougarmagic, thanks for the kind words.
Their winter coats do appear lighter and brighter, with a darker denser ruff. There may well be a "dust effect" for much of the year, til the winter white stuff cleanses the critters.
Their bedding areas for the most part have dirt floors, during the dry months. (from which I keep my distance, generally, these days.) The grassy crop-cot-circles of springtime are a transitory dream by the end of summer.
cheers,
arocknoid
Could some of that blotchy color be their winter coat coming in?
Hi,
I saw those three sisters at the top of cliff of Bowl last 6/14/2008. Two were on the main section and one on west side. (I can't upload the photo now.)
I saw three boys on Ski hut trail around 7300 feet area in July 2008.
They are out there but it is hard to see them close.
We're heading back up register ridge tomorrow but I think the size of our group will scare the sheep away. It seems like I see sheep most of the time when I'm alone.
Hi Cathy,
Thanks.
I recently found this site.
I'll start 6:00 am through Ski hut. Hope to see you at the summit.
I have to drop off a gift at Ski hut tomorrow.
Yes, every time I saw them was I was alone.
If you try to look for them, they are not around at all. But, all of a sudden
they show up middle of nowhere and next minute they are gone like a wind.
Another beautiful picture Shin. We didn't start up until 8:30 am yesterday, so you were way ahead of us. I hope to catch you out there sometime soon. I hope to do my first snow climb of the bowl for the season in a couple weeks - I can't wait.
There is a form called "SAN BERNARDINO & SAN GABRIEL MOUNTAINS
CITIZEN SCIENTIST BIGHORN SHEEP SIGHTING CARD" issued by
California Department of Fish & Game.
Send information to:
Mr. JEFF VILLEPIQUE
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH & GAME
PO BOX 3222
BIG BEAR CITY, CA. 92314
The director of Mt. Baldy visitor center is a researcher of bighorn sheep. He will enjoy all information you can give him. He is there once a week.
Not the San Gabriel Wilderness, but on Thursday morning I saw a herd of Big Horn Sheep when I was running along the Art Smith Trail out in the Santa Rosas:
