4/26/12
“It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.”
Sir Edmund Hillary
“What then?” said the ewe, as she considered her next step.
Is it wise to climb higher and edge to the cliff or would it be smarter to abandon the imagined prospects and bed down right here?
“Why not?” said the ewe, as she conquered that which threatened her clear-sighted progress.
Would not the view from above be worth a wobble and a waver or two?
“Of course!” said the ewe, as she stretched her legs further and readied for more of the climb.
And with a look all around to appreciate her accomplishments, the ewe continued on.
These photos were taken in Waterton Canyon, where the South Platte River flows out the mountains eastward toward the Plains through the foothills southwest of Denver. Colorado is home to the largest population of bighorn sheep anywhere. Rams have massive, coiled horns that can make up as much as 10 percent of their body weight. Ewes have spike-like horns. Bighorn are often seen far above, gazing into the distance from the tops of ridges and from the edges of cliffs. Surely their view is incredible.
I’m feeling a touch of vertigo just looking at these photos! Good for “ewe” for braving the heights for the spectacular view and reaching for goals.
Thank you, for viewing the “ewes”!
Wonderful photographs, especially the first one… they are really amazing to climb the rocky mountains… Once I watched on television… Fascinated me your photograph. And also the quote too. Thank you dear Bella, with my love, nia
Happy you enjoyed this Nia.
I trust these guys know what they are doing, but this here Mama is nervous. (smile)
I agree with you Lenore Diane
We have a saying about steep mountain ridges here, that refers to them being too steep for even a goat to climb. After seeing your pictures, I’m thinking there is no such thing. If they can climb that, nothing is off limits. Great pictures Bella.
Thank you writingfeemail. They are really something to see and watch.
I have presented you with an award today on my blog. Enjoy.
That is an amazing climb! (For both of you!) We see the rams often in pictures, don’t recall seeing a ewe. They certainly must be surefooted.
They are amazing creatures and fun to watch. Thanks pattisj.
Incredible pictures
Thank you, friend!
Breathtaking post in every way!
Thank you, always, Dor.
Wonderful pictures. That first picture made me laugh. I wonder how could you capture such a picture at a perfect time. Great post.
It was lucky timing I guess Arindam. Good to see you here!
nature is all. continue…
You gotta know I agree
Great shots! I’d love to see them in the wild like that…
It was great fun
Beautiful shots! I have always wondered about these creatures and how they are able to climb to such heights in this terrain. They look like they are shaped too awkwardly to have such balance and grace.
They are funny looking but boy can they move!
A sweet read. Cute. One wonders how long one waits for such “edgy” shots. Great work.
Ran across a small herd right alongside the beginning of a trail….barely had time to get the camera out of the pack when she started climbing. Thanks gaga. Love the name
How high were you when you shot that?? I can barely look at it without shaking. Amazing as always!
b
Not as high as it looks and the ewe was up from me a bit. Very fun to see up close though.
I assume you were up there, too! Great photos!
Glad you liked them!
Who needs National Geographic when we have winsomebella!
Thank you Al
Al said it best…;)
You, too, are very kind Rufina. Good to see you!
I’ve watched film of these things. Make grasshoppers look like fat floppy frogs. Amazing.
Love that comparison Carl
Thanks for the photos – bighorn sheep are something I would dearly love to see – we’ve hiked in areas where they are supposed to live, but no sightings yet!
These were right along the beginning of a trail–quite a lucky bonus for the day. Glad to see you
Beautiful photos!
Thank you yearstricken
Wow – your pictures are so crisp and clear I’m getting vertigo just looking at them.
Thanks pegoleg. Glad you visited and I will be over your way next
Amazing creatures, and beautiful photographs. You are so fortunate to have so many wonderful photo opportunities.
I do feel fortunate for these photo opps…..I know as well as anyone that it is lots easier to get nice shots when you’ve got them!
Wonderful as always, Bella. What lovely walks you take!
And how I enjoy my walks Elyse. Can you tell??? Good to see you.
You and the ews must have a healthy disregrard for fear of heights. I can not image being at the edge so high. You must have wings of an angel. T
It was not as high as it looks and she was pretty close to the trail and very patiently waited while I prepared for the shot. So i was lucky
Thanks Tricia.
Wow – that first shot is amazing! Such determination and spirit.
I am amazed at what they accomplish. Thanks for stopping in.
You look at their hooves and it is the equivilant of hiking in high heels – stunning.
Can you imagine? Thanks for stopping in:-)
Fantastic photos. I have always been amazed by the dexterity – is that the right word – of bighorn sheep. We used to watch them on the rock cliffs when we were backpacking in the Big Horn Mountains outside of Sheridan, Wyoming.
Amazing dexterity!
Beautiful pictures combined with thoughtful wisdom is always good.
Glad you liked it
I agree with JM. Those heights are a touch scary. Gorgeous and I applaud the ewe for going up there. But wow what a climb. I could never look down while doing it.
Thanks for stopping in Kourtney.
They are strong and agile and very brave too. Thanks Kourtney.
I’ve been up that canyon a few times. I never saw bighorn sheep in it. Lucky ewe!
Yes, I was lucky to find them right off the beginning of the trail. Good to see you Marvin.
wow! I cannot see any of my fat overfed sheep doing anything like that! Double wow.. c
These were pretty mean and lean creatures, C. All that stepping
Winsome–what an amazing shot. Enjoying your new look for your blog!
Thank you reelingintheyears. Decided I was overdue for a makeover
I wish I was 1/10th as sure-footed, on the mountains, and in life.
Wouldn’t that be nice? Thanks for stopping in
The sheep in those photos is inspiring.
Pretty amazing creatures. Thanks for stopping in
I just nominated you for a Sunshine Award (http://wp.me/pdLdw-n5) No obligation, of course, but just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your blog.
I appreciate you thinking of me
beautiful as always and always!
You are wonderful
That is a stunning photo. I love them both, but the first one is really one to stand out. I believe bighorns are quite difficult to photograph and you have done a great job here. I know I have not have time to follow you blog lately, but as always I do enjoy coming back.