Bighorns in the Wet Mtns.

After hearing the magic word "upslope" in every weather forecast the last few days, I got up this morning at four and checked things out. The sky here looked promising, but quick peeks at online radar and web cams didn't look promising. I decided to head up towards the Springs anyways, hoping maybe those low clouds that were promised were still on the way. About 20 miles north of Pueblo I spotted the antennas on top of Cheyenne Mountain, clearly showing conditions different than I'd hoped for, and quickly blew off those plans in favor of heading somewhere else. I pointed the truck towards the Wet Mountains, but was so tired I was seeing double. When I got to one of my go-to spots, the sky was clear above, but cloudy to the east, so I put the seat back and slept for a few hours. When I got up, I thought I'd look for bighorns. Lo and behold, a herd numbering 15-20 was crossing the road 100 yards from where I was, so I made sure the morning wasn't a total loss. Here's two of the many pretty decent shots I got.

Moral of the story: When life gives you lemons, make bighorns! Or something like that...

#2

Ahh.. bighorns to the rescue! A great save.

Both of these are really nice. Glad you were able to work with what nature gave you :)

#1 is a little busy with the tree in the BG, but it also gives it a bit more of an environment feel. The eye contact in #2 is great.

I love that second one! Todd, it's nice to know that once in a while things don't work out for you because so often you seem to have this sixth sense about where to be. Even this morning it looks like it paid off.

Those shots are fantastic, Todd! The 2d is my fav. Yeah, a couple days ago it really looked like low clouds all weekend, now it looks like Mon morning is the only possibility. The moon should still be fairly full then, and it looks like cloud tops about 9-10K ft. Hopefully it wont clear too early, im going to take a last look tomorrow night and if it looks promising head out for sunrise Mon morn.

#2 is sweet, couldn't ask for more on that one.

The second is my favorite too. I like how #1 appears like it pictures a family of bighorns but, as said before, the background tree is a bit distracting. I like their expressions on the second one.

Love that stare-down in #2. Glad you had a productive morning!

I'm liking number 2 also. Nice productive morning.

Jack

I really like that 2nd one, Todd. A great story as well, thanks for sharing.

I like 'em both!
Just as crisp and clear as can be. How far away were you from these bighorns?

Looks like you had a good save. I like em both. The second shot is much cleaner, but I like the regal big guy in #1.

Great capture. Really like the way the one is balanced on the rocks in #2.

It definitely helps to have a Plan B (and I'm not talking from an RPh standpoint). Great job in timing your nap just right! Must have been that apple mash you put on your bumper!

I'm obviously in the minority, but I like that old dead tree in #1. That might be because I finally got some shots of these guys with something other than a gravelly hillside as backdrop.

John, these were both shot with the 100-400 + 1.4X, but I don't think either one was at the full 580mm.

I'm obviously in the minority, but I like that old dead tree in #1

So do I.
It frames that proud looking herd well without any stray intrusive branches cluttering things.
Thanks for the info. on how far away you were.

Yes, actually I think the old dead tree is a plus and really like #1. Really a nice grouping of animals!

Cool shots - the 2nd is much stronger with animals standing out from the background.

Wow, great shots, Todd! The tree branches in the 1st don't bother me. To me, the bighorn still stands out. I like them both, and if I had to decide between the two, I'd have a hard time. Although I really like the expressions of the bighorns in # 2.