Big Horn Sheep

I was on the road between Lillooet and Lytton earlier this summer when I noticed the sheep on the rocks near the road.

They were very calm and the traffic did not bother them at all.

I was able to pull over and snap a bunch of pics and thought I would share them with you.

Aren't those a lovely set of horns!

Sheep on two levels.  They were amazing to watch climbing all over the rocks and ledges.

Here one decided to cross the road and went down the steep slope there possibly for a drink of water at the river.

Some of these pics look as if the sheep posed for me.

Off he goes to check something out.

Checking out the view.

Another great pose!

I was able to catch one short sequence of him climbing down.

Back again where he started.



Sheep on the Road

If you are travelling in Alberta through either Banff National Park or Jasper National Park, you must watch out for wildlife on the road.



They have warning signs and slower speed limits in the parks but some people rush along oblivious to the danger that might be right around the corner.  Others come to sudden stops if they spot an animal and forget about the traffic behind them.

Rocky Mountain Sheep are often spotted beside the road but they also wander into the traffic lanes as well.  Often tourists on the road need watching as well.  I was travelling in the park once when a I spotted a woman flagging down traffic.  A man, (her husband we presumed) was standing in the middle of the highway taking a picture of a large elk that was just across the road.

Here we see a family of sheep that are licking the salt off the highway.  Late spring and early summer is when you find a fair number of animals licking the roads.

These sheep were in a parking lot instead of on the main highway but I've been stopped numerous times by animals on the road.

Just this fall, traffic was held up both ways by a herd of sheep on the highway near Jasper.  Semis had to grind to a stop and then slowly get back up to speed once the sheep had finally moved enough so the traffic could creep by.

Here we can see the young sheep getting braver as time goes by.  The parents are more relaxed so the youngster doesn't remain hidden.

He is learning independence but doesn't stray too far from his parents.  Tourists also have to remember that these are wild animals and to give them their space.

Photos taken in Banff National Park.

Golfing with Sheep

Well the golf season is winding down for the year but I have some pictures to share of our local golf course.  It is a nice little course nestled in the mountains.  Here are a couple of shots of the view.



Now as nice as the view is - that is not the drawing card.  The nine-hole course is on a working sheep ranch with golfers and sheep sharing the pasture.



The fairways may not be as nice as some of the pristine 18-hole manicured courses but the woolly "natural" hazards make up for it.

Don't expect the sheep to stay quiet when you're ready for your shot, especially when the lambs are around and misplace "mom".

Here you see one of the women's tee boxes being groomed by some of the "groundskeepers".

You also may run into one of the llamas who share the pasture with the sheep.  Here are a couple watching while you putt out.

A golfer wondering where to place her ball without hitting any of the "obstacles".



Oh, and by the way, for a shot like this, do you move your ball or the . . . ?  ;)



So if you are in the Lillooet area and you are a golfer, stop by for a unique round of golf.  FORE!