Ugly Hedgehog - Photography Forum
Home Active Topics Newest Pictures Search Login Register
Photo Gallery
Bighorn Sheep close encounter...
Page 1 of 2 next>
Dec 6, 2014 13:44:27   #
gessman Loc: Colorado
 
Waterton Canyon was created by the Platte River. There is an access road up to a dam 7 miles up from the access point in a southwest suburb of the Denver metro area. The only cars permitted are workers at the dam and otherwise it has been designated a recreation area for hikers, bicyclists, horseback riding, fishing, rock climbing, etc... It is a very popular area where there is a bit of wildlife such as deer, elk, Bighorn Sheep, bear, mountain lion, birds, etc. I used to go there a lot but less lately. At the far end of the road the Colorado Trail begins and goes for 600 miles across the Rockies and crosses the Continental Divide in 13 places at last count. It is a rugged terrain with limited access so once on it, it is miles to the next access point. Some people bike it but most hike it.

During the mating season the Bighorn Sheep can often be seen close to the road up the canyon since they come down to get water from the river. October and early November is a good time to visit if you want Bighorn pictures. I got a few using my SX50 and intended to go back with my 5DMkII but that didn't happen. At 78 and with limited ability to walk long distances I ride my bike up in there and often encounter critters along the way so I got a GoPro wannabe called a sj4000 camera that shoots 1080p video for my bike and caught a "Woot off" of a double lens camera being liquidated and mounted both on my handlebars. This trip a friend and neighbor rode along with me. You can cut and paste the following into your browser to see the video if you choose: http://youtube.com/watch?v=B1oBqjZHpzc . I won't include the entire url so it won't be put in the Links section here in uhh. (Well, it looks like someone added the entire url back in. Admin maybe?) Probably won't make the digest anyway.

As we were riding up the canyon on Oct 16 we encountered a splinter group of young Bighorn Sheep herd coming along the canyon road to a point to where they typically enter the river. I stopped and remained very still let them go by me. This is not a petting zoo. These animals are totally wild but during rut they tend to ignore people around them. If you watch the video which is two minutes and eighteen seconds you will notice at the end of the split screen mode I took off pretty quick. I won't say I was "white-knuckling" but my knuckles were at least light pink when those two split and headed for both sides of me, I was prepped to move out. In the full screen replay you will see that the oldest, largest of the rams stopped just on my right and turned toward me, eyeing my right side so that's why I exited rather quickly, having seen those guys butt each other. I apologize for the quality of the video. It's not a very good video because I was heading straight into the sun with 170 degree lens which were taxed to get a good picture because of the light and it can be pretty choppy if you select 1080p and don't give it time to load before you play it, depending on your computer.

Early stages of mating season with a bit of Topaz...
Early stages of mating season with a bit of Topaz....
(Download)


(Download)


(Download)

The Platte River just a small stream below one of the dams on it...
The Platte River just a small stream below one of ...
(Download)


(Download)

This is the female in the first pic and she got away by running up the hill...
This is the female in the first pic and she got aw...
(Download)

...and he was watching her
...and he was watching her...
(Download)


(Download)

Reply
Dec 6, 2014 13:57:56   #
Audwulf Loc: Golden State
 
Wondermus pics. I think I would have needed new shorts after that encounter.
gessman wrote:
Waterton Canyon was created by the Platte River. There is an access road up to a dam 7 miles up from the access point in a southwest suburb of the Denver metro area. The only cars permitted are workers at the dam and otherwise it has been designated a recreation area for hikers, bicyclists, and horses. It is a very popular area where there is a bit of wildlife such as deer, elk, Bighorn Sheep, bear, mountain lion, birds, etc. I used to go there a lot but less lately. At the far end of the road the Colorado Trail begins and goes for 600 miles across the Rockies and crosses the Continental Divide in 13 places at last count. It is a rugged terrain with limited access so once on it, it is miles to the next access point. Some people bike it but most hike hit.

During the mating season the Bighorn Sheep can often be seen close to the road up the canyon since they come down to get water from the river. October and early November is a good time to visit if you want Bighorn pictures. I got a few using my SX50 and intended to go back with my 5DMkII but that didn't happen. At 78 and with limited ability to walk long distances I ride my bike up in there and often encounter critters along the way so I got a GoPro wannabe called a sj4000 camera that shoots 1080p video for my bike and caught a "Woot off" of a double lens camera being liquidated and mounted both on my handlebars. This trip a friend and neighbor rode along with me. You can cut and paste the following into your browser to see the video if you choose: youtube.com/watch?v=B1oBqjZHpzc . I won't include the entire url so it won't be put in the Links section here in uhh.

As we was riding up the canyon on Oct 16 we encountered a splinter group of young Bighorn Sheep herd coming along the canyon road to a point to where they typically enter the river. I stopped and remained very still let them go by me. This is not a petting zoo. These animals are totally wild but during rut tend to ignore people around them. If you watch the video which is two minutes and eighteen seconds you will notice at the end of the split screen mode I took off pretty quick. I won't say I was "white-knuckling" but my knuckles were at least light pink when those two split and headed for both sides of me, I was prepped to move out. In the full screen replay you will see that the oldest, largest of the rams stopped just on my right and turned toward me, eyeing my right side so that's why I exited rather quickly, having seen those guys butt each other. I apologize for the quality of the video. It's not a very good video because I was heading straight into the sun with 170 degree lens which were taxed to get a good picture because of the light and it can be pretty choppy if you select 1080p and don't give it time to load before you play it, depending on your computer.
Waterton Canyon was created by the Platte River. ... (show quote)

Reply
Dec 6, 2014 14:56:05   #
gessman Loc: Colorado
 
Audwulf wrote:
Wondermus pics. I think I would have needed new shorts after that encounter.


Thanks Audwulf. Never quite had that happen before. I might have been closer than I thought. Never know. :-D

Reply
 
 
Dec 6, 2014 15:40:08   #
rlaugh Loc: Michigan & Florida
 
Very fine shots!!

Reply
Dec 6, 2014 16:00:11   #
gonate Loc: sacramento,calif
 
Super nice shots. outstanding . :D

Reply
Dec 6, 2014 16:03:30   #
jmcarp Loc: Colorado
 
Nice work! That's just about where my bighorn shots were made http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-265520-1.html. I get up the canyon fairly often and have probably seen you there -- in fact you may have been in the group shooting with me when the image of the two rams crossing the river was captured.
Jim

Reply
Dec 6, 2014 17:01:22   #
gessman Loc: Colorado
 
rlaugh wrote:
Very fine shots!!


Thank you rlaugh. I appreciate it.

Reply
 
 
Dec 6, 2014 17:53:02   #
gessman Loc: Colorado
 
gonate wrote:
Super nice shots. outstanding . :D


Thank you gonate. I appreciate the comment.

Reply
Dec 6, 2014 17:54:51   #
gessman Loc: Colorado
 
jmcarp wrote:
Nice work! That's just about where my bighorn shots were made http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-265520-1.html. I get up the canyon fairly often and have probably seen you there -- in fact you may have been in the group shooting with me when the image of the two rams crossing the river was captured.
Jim


Hi jmcarp. I was going to visit your thread and comment on how great your shots up the canyon were and got sidetracked. I'll do so any way in a few minutes. Thank you for your comments here and I enjoyed seeing your shots - outstanding. Welcome to the forum also. :thumbup:

Reply
Dec 6, 2014 21:50:23   #
gessman Loc: Colorado
 
For those of you who do not like to read and may have missed the link in my opening comments, don't overlook the short 2 minute 18 second video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=B1oBqjZHpzc

Reply
Dec 7, 2014 07:38:11   #
kubota king Loc: NW , Pa.
 
Very nice ,Tommy

Reply
 
 
Dec 7, 2014 12:13:47   #
gessman Loc: Colorado
 
kubota king wrote:
Very nice ,Tommy


Thank you kubota king!

Reply
Dec 7, 2014 18:35:04   #
sailorsmom Loc: Souderton, PA
 
Wow! What a wonderful series, gessman! You shots are outstanding and I loved your video, too. Thanks for sharing these!

Reply
Dec 7, 2014 21:43:37   #
gessman Loc: Colorado
 
sailorsmom wrote:
Wow! What a wonderful series, gessman! You shots are outstanding and I loved your video, too. Thanks for sharing these!


Thank you sailorsmom. I sure appreciate you kind comments.

Reply
Dec 8, 2014 23:57:28   #
gessman Loc: Colorado
 
The video has been removed from youtube...

Reply
Page 1 of 2 next>
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
Photo Gallery
UglyHedgehog.com - Forum
Copyright 2011-2024 Ugly Hedgehog, Inc.