Bighorn Ram Portrait #1
by Judi Dressler
Title
Bighorn Ram Portrait #1
Artist
Judi Dressler
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
I took this image with the sun behind the ram, lighting up the rim of his face, and decided to add a black background to enhance the effect. Doesn't he look magnificent?!
This Bighorn Ram was one of two heading towards an area where they knew they'd find the females -- the ewes! It was the time of year when the males are rutting -- consumed with females and mating (and fighting for them if necessary). This male wasn't concerned about me being close, as all his attention was focused on his mission.
From the National Park Service: "Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) are the largest wild sheep in North America. Muscular males can weigh over 300 pounds and stand over three feet tall at the shoulder. Females are roughly half this size.... Specialized hooves and rough soles provide a natural grip as bighorn sheep make precarious jumps and breath-taking climbs up and down sharp cliff faces.... Males, called rams, have large horns that curl around their faces by eight years of age. These horns can weigh up to 30 pounds. Females, called ewes, have smaller horns that curve slightly to a sharp point within the first four years of life."
Photo taken on November 17, 2020, in Littleton, Colorado
---------------------------------------------------------
Won 1st place in FAA's Wild Big Horn Sheep Art contest on 7/31/2023
Won 2nd place in FAA's COLORADO WILD ANIMAL PORTRAIT contest, on 11/18/2023
---------------------------------------------------------
Descriptive tags and keywords for this image include bighorn, bighorn sheep, ram, bighorn ram, magnificent, proud, powerful, horns, wild sheep, portrait, male, rut, canyons, back lighting, backlit, mountains, dominance, colorado, rutting season, ovis canadensis, bovidae, wildlife, animals, sheep, wild, goats, nature, judi dressler, and dressler.
Uploaded
November 20th, 2020
Embed
Share
Similar Images
Comments (35)
Annettes Whimsies
CoNgRaTs for placing second in the ’FAA Colorado Wild Animal Portrait Contest’ ! ⭐️ Members of ‘Colorado Wildlife Group’ may archive their winning photograph/ artwork in the group discussion tab ‘Colorado Wildlife Contest Winners for 2023’. ThAnKs for participating in the contest.🎉
Susan Hodgson
Judi, Congrats on your 2nd place Win in the Colorado Wild Animal Portrait Contest!! Beautiful work!
Annettes Whimsies
CoNgRaTs on placing FIRST in the ’FAA Colorado Wildlife Wild Big hors Sheep Art Contest’ ! ⭐️ Members of ‘Colorado Wildlife Group’ may archive their winning photograph/ artwork in the group discussion tab ‘Colorado Wildlife Contest Winners for 2023’. ThAnKs for participating in this contest.🎉
Kay Brewer
I had to make a second vote for your entries. The lighting in this one is fabulous! Voted your entry in the Wild Big Horn Sheep. l/f
Larry Kniskern
Congratulations, Judi – your stunning scene has been selected as a Group Admin’s Pick from the Go Take a Hike Photography Group’s Antlers and Horns photo contest! It has been placed in the Special Recognition thread in the group discussion board for archive.
Gary F Richards
Congratulations on your Top Finish in the contest… NEW LOGO FOR OUR 4-LEGGED FRIENDS! F/L
Recently Viewed
