Dall ram checks out photographer.

 Walk softly and carry a big lens.  All species of North American mountain sheep, the bighorns, Rocky Mountain bighorn and desert bighorn and the thinhorns, stone sheep and dall sheep are naturally skittish. Specific protocols are required when photographing wild sheep at close range.  Ever on the lookout for predators, wild sheep are tuned into sounds of rocks tumbling down the mountainsides or moving across noisy scree slopes.  Sudden movements or too much noise are likely to send mountain sheep stampeding towards the nearest cliffs.  A telephoto lens is a must.  The perspective a telephoto gives will separate your subject from the background.

Dall lamb photographed with a 560mm lens.

Coyote chases a couple bighorn ewes towards its hunting partner in Wyoming.

Do not crowd. When there is more than one photographer work together to avoid making the sheep feel surrounded.  Sheep predators like wolves and coyotes often hunt cooperatively, driving sheep into their awaiting accomplices. Surrounded or cornered sheep are likely to panic. Sheep can sometimes seem rather tame, but they are wild animals and have definitive tolerance limits when it comes to humans.  These limits must be respected.  Avoid being tempted closer and closer by their seemingly undisturbed behavior.

Be Patient.  Feeding and rutting sessions are necessarily broken up by long periods of rest.  Approaching resting sheep too closely will cause them to cut short their much-needed rest and move away.  Wait for your photo opportunities, don’t try creating them.

A pair of Montana bighorns compete for dominance.

Caution.  Travel slowly and deliberately.  In winter the frozen slopes are tough walking and can even be dangerous.  Slopes with loose rocks can act like ball bearings and any misstep could spell disaster.  And, watch out for slippery slopes.  A step onto ice or snow-covered ice could be your last! Take short steps and use a walking stick.

Playing peek-a-boo with a dall ram in the Yukon.

Ewe and ram dall sheep strike a dynamic pose.  Strive for portraits that highlight your subjects qualities and prefered habitat.

See more wild sheep photos on the link below: http://www.michaelquinton.com/gallery.aspx?gID=ggaydebae