Rocky mountain big horn sheep were introduced into Badlands National Park in 1964. Here are several images captured during my recent visit there.  You’ll notice several have radio collars. The flock seems to be doing quite well as they were easily and frequently spotted in the craggy terrain along the Sage Creek Rim Road in the western portion of the park. They were fairly tolerant of humans so it was easy to get close when they were not perched on the edge of cliff a 1,000 feet above or below where we humans hang out.

My timing was not very good so the light was pretty harsh when I took most of these. I’d like to have another chance with better light. Also, later in the year I presume they would be a little more photogenic after they completely lose their shaggy winter coats – they look a bit tattered now.

These images were captured with the Pentax K7 and either the Pentax DA*300mm f/4 or the Pentax A*600mm f/5.6 mounted on a Feisol Tournament Class tripod with Wimberley II gimbal head.