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A Day With Bighorn Sheep - Valley Of Fire State Park

5/10/2018

20 Comments

 
Photos and videos of an amazing few hours with several Desert Bighorn Sheep rams in the Atlatl Rock Campground in Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada.
Desert Bighorn Sheep - Valley of Fire
It was 6:30 a.m. this morning when I stepped out of our RV at the Atlatl Rock Campground to look around and perhaps take a walk. We had no definite plans.

I scanned the open desert behind our campsite and was surprised to see a Desert Bighorn ram less than 50 yards away.
Desert Bighorn Sheep - Valley of Fire
When I asked at the information booth at the Visitors Center the other day, I was told "They are everywhere. Just keep your eyes open". Well, after two days in the park keeping our eyes open, we saw exactly zero sheep.

It's a thrill to see them at all, and then to see rams with full curved horns is even better.

I shouted to Linda, who was still sleeping, "There are Bighorn Sheep out here!".

I grabbed the camera and walked out slowly. Seconds later, I saw that there were eight rams that appeared to be of similar size and age.

The campers that noticed were grabbing cameras or binoculars.
Desert Bighorn Sheep - Valley of Fire
They huddled up and just stood there looking at us.
PictureDesert Bighorn Sheep - Valley of Fire
Eventually, the other folks had their photos and went about their day. But I stayed and watched.

​They moved a little and then just plopped down to rest.
Desert Bighorn Sheep - Valley of Fire
In the photo below, you can see seven of the eight sets of horns.
Desert Bighorn Sheep - Valley of Fire
Pulling back, they were difficult to see unless you knew they were there.
Desert Bighorn Sheep - Valley of Fire
They didn't look like they were going anywhere, so I turned around and took some photos of our campsite and the campground.
Atlatl Rock Campground - Valley of Fire
Atlatl Rock Campground - Valley of Fire
Atlatl Rock Campground - Valley of Fire
Atlatl Rock Campground - Valley of Fire
I returned my attention to the rams. It was just me and them. Though they didn't seem to be bothered by me, I crouched down behind a bush and waited patiently.

Eventually, they started to get up one by one.
Desert Bighorn Sheep - Valley of Fire
One came closer to me and stood there checking me out and looking around.
Desert Bighorn Sheep - Valley of Fire
I took some video as he started walking past.
Then the rest started following, and I shot some more footage. Words like regal and majestic came to mind.
I snapped more photos as they went by me.
Desert Bighorn Sheep - Valley of Fire
Desert Bighorn Sheep - Valley of Fire
I thought they were going to proceed to the rocks and that would be the last we would see of them. Instead, they stopped, ate a little, and plopped down again.
Desert Bighorn Sheep - Valley of Fire
​Again, since they didn't seem to be going anywhere, I took photos of other distractions. This time it was the little ground squirrels zooming around. These are White-tailed Antelope Squirrels and they really are everywhere.
White-tailed Antelope Squirrel - Valley of Fire
White-tailed Antelope Squirrel - Valley of Fire
I returned to the sheep a little later, and they were just starting to get up.
Desert Bighorn Sheep - Valley of Fire
They huddled up again, and then they started feeding.
Desert Bighorn Sheep - Valley of Fire
Desert Bighorn Sheep - Valley of Fire
I shot some more video and then left them alone.
I returned to our motorhome to get out of the 90-degree heat. And while sitting there, we saw the rams walking toward us. They did, in fact, walk right by our campsite.
Desert Bighorn Sheep - Valley of Fire
We watched as they headed toward the red rocks right beside the campground.
Desert Bighorn Sheep - Valley of Fire
Desert Bighorn Sheep - Valley of Fire
We continued to watch and were surprised that they just sauntered over to the rocks and continued to forage and rest in the shade near two other campsites.

I continually peeked over just to see if they were still hanging around. As the sun got higher, they re-adjusted their positions to remain in the shade, but they were still close by.

​Eventually, I walked over and sat at a picnic table ... just to watch. All eight of the rams were there. You can see six in this picture (a couple are well hidden).
Desert Bighorn Sheep - Valley of Fire
The other two are shown here with one tucked into a rock alcove.
Desert Bighorn Sheep - Valley of Fire
I really enjoyed my alone-time with these magnificent animals.
Desert Bighorn Sheep - Valley of Fire
Desert Bighorn Sheep - Valley of Fire
After several minutes, I left and, once again, I thought that would be the end of today's wonderful encounter. But, there was more.

In the RV, I looked out and saw them returning to feed in the exact place they were first thing this morning. And a little later, they once again walked right by our campsite.

But this time, they went behind the rocks as their earlier resting place was now in complete sun. Again, I thought that would be the end of our sightings.

Later, I took a walk around the campground, and then strolled around to the other side of the rocks. Sure enough, they were still there.
Desert Bighorn Sheep - Valley of Fire
Most of them were eating again, but one ram hung out on the rocks and we spent some time together.
Desert Bighorn Sheep - Valley of Fire
Desert Bighorn Sheep - Valley of Fire
The Bighorns spent about five or six hours within a hundred yards of our campsite. It was absolutely amazing, and we feel so fortunate to have been able to spend so much time in their presence.

What a morning.
20 Comments
Pam Wright link
5/12/2018 01:02:46 am

What amazing photos! I love when we see the rams which doesn't happen very often. You final photo is a great catch! Lucky, lucky you!!

Reply
Howard link
5/12/2018 09:39:41 am

Thank you. Yes, I just couldn't believe how long they hung around. It was such a privilege to be able to watch them for so long and without a bunch of people jockeying for position and making noise. Lucky indeed.

Reply
Jan Chesser
5/12/2018 01:41:34 pm

Beautiful! My husband was impressed that so many rams were together in one place. What a blessing to be in gorgeous country enjoying God's handiwork!

Reply
Howard link
5/12/2018 04:20:06 pm

A blessing indeed. Thanks for the note.

Reply
Candace Jones
5/12/2018 02:16:10 pm

I am really enjoying your new website! Definitely will be using it for travel ideas. We are heading to the Grand Canyon this next week, so just finished reading the post. Though we won't be hiking below the rim, the rim walks and bike trails will definitely be on our list. I'm really looking forward to the posts on Iceland later this year.

Reply
Howard link
5/12/2018 04:23:19 pm

Thanks Candace. I like the new format, and I hope people find the posts helpful and enjoyable. We too are looking forward to the Iceland posts.

Reply
John
5/12/2018 03:31:18 pm

Great Photos! Love the closeups up in the red rocks.

Reply
Howard link
5/12/2018 04:26:30 pm

Thanks John. I probably took 150 photos because it felt like a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Reply
Nancy and Bill
5/12/2018 08:20:12 pm

WOW...WOW...WOW!!! What an amazing experience!!! Your photos are spectacular...such majestic animals. We believe your new adventure is off to a really GREAT start:o))

Reply
Howard link
5/12/2018 08:27:21 pm

Hey Bill & Nancy, Wish you could have been here with us. It was a wonderful experience. Thanks for your kind words and long-standing support. Looking forward to our next meet-up and many more after that.

Reply
Lynn Ellinghuysen
5/13/2018 10:34:59 am

Great post and photos! A beautiful area to explore, thanks for sharing!

Reply
Howard link
5/13/2018 11:18:26 am

Thanks Lynn, Glad you enjoyed.

Reply
Patricia Neuzil
5/14/2018 10:11:37 pm

Howard, your pictures are gorgeous. We loved the park.

Reply
Howard link
5/14/2018 10:54:21 pm

Thanks Patricia. It's a great park.

Reply
Dean and Cheri
5/15/2018 10:17:30 pm

What an exciting experience to be in such close quarters to these amazing and beautiful animals! I hope we are able to visit here someday. We would thoroughly enjoy spending time there! Your photos are just gorgeous.

Reply
Howard link
5/16/2018 09:30:41 pm

Yes, it was quite amazing. I was obsessed and couldn't believe we had that opportunity for so many hours. Valley of Fire is definitely worth a visit. Thanks for you comment.

Reply
Susan Manley
11/1/2019 03:09:53 am

Great story and photos! a dream of mine. Thee last image is absolutely outstanding!!!

Reply
Howard link
11/1/2019 06:55:46 am

Thanks for the kind words, Susan. It was a special day.

Reply
Girl Jobs Victoria link
3/18/2021 10:45:27 pm

Thanks for a great reaad

Reply
B Braziel
9/10/2021 12:57:09 am

I think we spent the evening with your herd. We're at Atlatl campsite for the next few days. They walked through the site and hung out all evening in the open area just east of us. They weren't even bothered by our 2 dogs.
We were also lucky to see a lightening storm in the distance.
It was the bats that pushed us inside the RV.
Valley of Fire is definately a beautiful place!

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