Zion Rut: The Movie

Video of the Desert Bighorn Sheep engaging (Or Not) in this year’s rut at Zion National Park, Utah.

Watch at YouTube at HiDef and Full Screen. Music is Swinging Hawaii by Kitty, Daisy & Lewis.

The Rut Is On At Zion

I’ve probably driven the road through the eastside of Zion National Park well over 2,000 times(Was a park ranger there) and had never seen so many Desert Bighorn Sheep as I did the other day. Must of been 40 of them including 10 Rams. It’s the rutting season and seemingly everyone showed up. This was at 7:00 a.m.

These images had an ethereal look to them because the backdrop is Checkerboard Mesa, one of the most scenic sandstone features at Zion. Video to follow.

Desert Bighorn Sheep Rams are active during the mating season known as the rut.

Checkerboard Mesa backdrop.

Desert Bighorn Sheep are known for their ability to cling to precarious ledges which is their defense from predators.

Nervous Ewes.

Video Of Desert Bighorn Sheep

The rut is on and the Rams and Ewes don’t seem too interested. Maybe Later?

From Zion National Park this week. Watch ar HiDef at Full Screen. Music is Swinging Hawaii by Kitty, Daisy & Lewis athough I Get Around by The Beach Boys was considered.

Zion National Park’s Desert Bighorn Sheep

Zion National Park in Utah is not renowned for its wildlife but one species found here that I find interesting is the Desert Bighorn Sheep.  They subsist on the vegetation in the park and prefer the steep rocky slopes. They are a bit sensitive to humans but you can see them on the east side of the park.

 

Bighorn Ram Grazing
One hungry ram

 

 

Bighorn Ram Grazing
Nice set of choppers

 

 

BIGHORN ON THE EDGE
On the edge

 

 

Bighorns Courting
Whose courting who here?

 

 

BIGHORNS ON THE EDGE
They obviously thought I was a threat and gathered on this ledge

 

 

ZION BIGHORN SHEEP
Young sheep

 

 

BIGHORN BLUE SKY
The females(Ewes) grow horns but not the big, thick curved ones like the rams do.

 

 

Bighorn in Flight
Lots of agility

 

 

ZION DESERT BIGHORN
Notice the wide rectangular eyes? This gives the sheep a wide field of vision to spot predators.