This is the third image of Bighorn Sheep I've posted here at Fstoppers from our trip through Valley of Fire State Park, located just north of Las Vegas, Nevada. The park is open for Day-Use from sunrise to sunset, (for a nominal fee), daily, in addition to registered campers for overnights.
Our arrival was pretty late for much exploring, yet we ventured through the park seeing as much as possible trying to get to the "Fire Wave" area. Unfortunately, we did not get there before sunset, and started out from the park when we happened upon these bighorn sheep eating their evening snack just off the roadway.
Image taken handheld with Nikon Z8 and Nikkor Z 100-400mm lens, 1/320 s, f/5.3, 280mm, ISO 5000, Manual Mode, WB auto0. Edited with Capture One 23, basic HDR sliders, Contrast, Saturation, Clarity and Structure added, Levels RGB channel adjusted, plus 3 separate linear gradient masks to slightly darken areas at the extremities of the 2:1 ratio crop.
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4 Comments
Desert Bighorn Ram. I was hiking in VoF one spring and heard a rustling on the ledge above me, not too far off. I looked up and this guy was watching me. Of course, I am not sure at all that it was this guy, but I bet it was one of his progeny. Nice shot.
Thanks Nathan!
It was exciting to see them so CLOSE, as all other times they've been just little specs to the naked eye.
I have seen them at very close range high up in the Rockies of Northern New Mexico. My wife and I were on an overnight backpack and had camped under Truchas Peak after crossing the ridge line of Pecos Baldy. The next morning we hiked up to an alpine lake we were familiar with and a group of ewes came up close enough for us to touch them. Very remarkable, and one of those things you never forget. I was on much younger legs at that time. I do remember that it was 9 miles in with a 4 or 5 thousand foot elevation gain. I did a pack in from the other side a few years ago, but on horseback. Even so it was a rugged hike back out since we only horsepacked in one direction.
Sounds like great fun, great experiences and now great memories!
Thanks for sharing!