When the Moment is Right
It’s mating season for the bighorn sheep in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. From mid-November to mid December the rams are horny (pun intended) and are actively seeking out the females to start the next generation of sheep. My favorite place to watch this spectacle is the frontage road along Interstate 70 in Georgetown, Colorado. The sheep descend the mountains to the frontage road to forage for vegetation and salt minerals and are quite visible throughout the day. At this time of the year the females (ewes) are in estrous and release a scent that is sensed by the rams indicating that the “moment may be right”. The rams will curl their upper lip as a sign that a scent is being received.
Catching the Scent
Eyes On Ewe
In Pursuit of Ewe
A ram will show aggressive behavior in pursuing a ewe. This can include bumping her rear, resting his head on her rump or kicking the ewe with a foreleg. If the ewe is ready, the ram will finally mount her.
When the Moment is Right
Score!
Nice story…I wonder if hollywood might have an interest the wild life “Love Story”!
Belle histoire d’amour.
It’s always all about ewe, isn’t it?