Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep are the largest wild sheep in North America. Muscular males can weigh over 300 pounds and stand over three feet tall at the shoulder. (US National Park Service)
This is a magnificent animal and you’ve either seen them or seen their pictures - the rams have those big horns that curl back and around in a 3/4 circle. They are common enough in the Rockies which doesn’t mean you see them every day. I’ve had rams 🐏 coming towards me on a trail, as well as coming in behind me, and chose to exit the trail downslope. They’re powerful.
Here is Andy Russell, the late Canadian naturalist, with his stories of his experiences with these exceptional animals. Great writing.
Very enjoyable writer. He knows his stuff: the high country, the animals, the people, and how to write about all of it. He does it with humour, seriousness and style.