Photographing the Cliff Dwellers
A few weeks ago in January, early one Sunday morning as I was leaving the beach at Walker Lake, I spotted a Desert Bighorn Sheep standing on a ledge at the area knows as The Cliffs.
Many years ago, the water level to Walker Lake was much higher and the area known as The Cliffs was underwater. In present time the water level has receded eastward, way below the highway.
After a short hike scrambling around the rocks, I noticed a group of at least 10 bighorns grazing on the dry desert grass. I quietly set my camera with the ISO at 800 for a faster shutter speed since the canyon was still in shadows with the morning light.
A closer look through the lens revealed that this was a herd of younger sheep and females. Bighorn sheep have a gregarious nature and will stay together in large groups. The adult males, rams, will usually remain a part from the ewes and young in bachelor herds for most of the time.
Several sheep stop grazing to watch and a youngster peeks out from around the cliff.
During winter, the sheep can be found in sheltered areas around the canyons and along the cliffs.
In the warmer season, they will migrate to the upper areas. Interestingly, the sheep may inhabit their same bedding area for many years.
The rugged rocky cliffs allow the sure footed Bighorn sheep quick escapes from predators.
Photographs Make Great Gifts
What
an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been. I love
it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get
treated to new experiences.
Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!
Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.
"Reflecting Nature's Artistry"
No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download.
All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital
Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text,
design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be
copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the
express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald.
For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please
submit a written request.
No comments:
Post a Comment
I welcome your response or feedback to this post. Please leave your comment below and share my Photo-Adventures with your family and friends. Subscribe to my blog and follow me on Facebook.