The wolf action has died down and the various packs and groups have all gone back to their own territories, leaving at least one dead pup and one badly injured alpha female. (Please see https://www.facebook.com/debydixonphotography for the details as I have been posting this terrible tragedy for everyone who loves the wolves.) And, so, after a couple of great hikes and helping others to see where the injured wolf is holed up, from the road, I headed towards home.
Got all of the way to Gardiner Canyon and saw some flashes of movement on the steep wall. Two rams were chasing each other, fighting and chasing a girl all at once. The action was fast paced so I took my small lens and just began shooting. Three minutes later the boys were worn out and panting – too worn out to do you know what.
Get this, this was my first time really seeing some rut action and good head butting, even after being here for two seasons already. Which, is why I stay, because there is still so much more.
Enjoy the series of images from the ram rut in Gardiner Canyon.
After the two laid down, I left and went on home.
We are having some amazing warm weather right now and the snow is melting quickly. Very nice for being outside and hiking but we would all like some more snow. Guess it will come. I was told that the prolonged forecast is for the warm weather to continue. I will take advantage because it is sure to leave some day.
I still haven’t seen big horns in rut in person. Would love to see it, but seeing your photos is almost as good. Great job! I don’t know why they all aren’t dead in the river.
That is a good point – on those steep cliffs, butting each other around. We did have one dead in the river last year but don’t know if it was pushed or fell.