Big Horn Sheep in the Mountains!



 















Driving along the winding road above Palm Desert California we enjoyed the mountains filled with desert plants -the yuccas were blooming - and the sun made the rises and the valleys dramatic. This time we spotted an animal with horns not far from the ridge... Big Horn Sheep!  The longer we looked the more of these amazing animals we saw. 


As usual we stopped to take pictures hoping there were surprises waiting to be discovered.
The body language of two young male sheep alerted me that something was about to happen.  I started watching and taking pictures.
Body Language says 'Something is going to happen!


Starting toward each other
 Their heads went down and they started toward each other.  The horns locked with a clunking sound we could hear from quite a distance.
Locking horns

Locked, Pushing and Pulling

Play continues

Stop! Dad's coming!

We're good!
 They wrangled some and all of a sudden they stopped and separated just as DAD showed up to stop the play.  It was really interesting to watch and even better to have some photos to share with you.  I used my Nikon 3000 with my telephoto lens.  If those male sheep had been older their horn locking could have lasted hours.

Want to know more about these animals? 
http://www.nps.gov/jotr/naturescience/bighorn.htm
http://www.desertusa.com/big.html
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Location: Palm Desert, CA, USA

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