This photo was taken a few years in Kananaskis, a provincial park located near the much more famous Banff National Park, in Canada, while hiking. I was thrilled to see a family of big horn sheep, especially since there were a couple of lambs. I hung out with them for a while and as long as I didn’t get to close, they weren’t too concerned with my presence. I was also happy to see that they were in the process of shedding their warm white winter coats for cooler brown ones - a sure sign of Spring that I warmly welcomed after another long Canadian winter.
Fun fact about big horn sheep: many of the males are brain damaged from butting heads at speeds of 32km/hour (20 miles/hour) for up to 20 hours at a time and as a result, live up to 7 years shorter than females. Why you may be asking? To establish mating rights – the most dominate male gets to mate with more females. Aren’t you glad we’re an equal opportunity society?
This photo has been submitted as part Travel Photo Thursday, a weekly travel photography showcase organized by Nancie at Budget Travelers Sandbox where you can see more travel photos from around the world.
Check out more travel photos on Photo Friday on Delicious Baby.
I'm Laurel, a former Program Director from Canada now living in Munich, Germany. I love traveling, diving, and hiking. I'm also an animal enthusiast with a special affinity for monkeys, cats and sharks.
Aww — love those little guys. Nice pic and very interesting about the males and establishing mating rites!
Cathy Sweeney recently posted..Boston from the Rooftops
It is always a treat to see wildlife up close and personal. They hang around the Kananaskis Trail at the exit to Kananaskis Lakes, as you know. I see them frequently on the Smith-Dorrien Trail above Canmore as well. They seem to like the East End of Rundle. Note to self: Climb EEOR.
Barry recently posted..Jumpingpound Forest – Sibbald Creek – Hiking Alberta
Wonderful shot Laurel!
I lived in Banff for a couple of years back in the 1970′s….yes I am dating myself
I did a lot of hiking in this park.
Thanks for another great week of Travel Photo Thursday.
Nancie recently posted..Travel Photo Thursday- May 12- 2011- Lantern Parade 2011- Seoul Korea
Funny! It sounds like a great place to enjoy nature and gain a little insight into mating rites.
Lisa recently posted..Photo Friday Easter in Germany
I love your fun facts about sheep. Seven years is a long time to knock off your life for sex with multiple parters. Maybe if I was a sheep I’d understand.
I love seeing the big horn sheep too; if they were in Vancouver they wouldn’t be shedding yet this year.
Leigh recently posted..Travel Photos- Prada Marfa – Art in the Middle of Nowhere
Many of my former co-workers were also brain damaged from butting heads as well. Many of us are just like sheep….
Raymond recently posted..Travel Photo of the Week — Getting Grilled in Göreme- Turkey
So cute
Muza-chan recently posted..A Japanese Song per Day- FictionJunction Yuuka – Kouya Ruten
I love your photos of Canada, as I’m from the East Coast it’s almost like looking at another country.
ayngelina recently posted..The cutest ghetto in Latin America
You must have been pretty close to take the picture! They are lovely animals but I wouldn’t go and bother them!
How cute! They look like goats with their little horns… but they are sheep? Funny about the brain damage
Hope they’re able to mate beforwe doing too much damage… if not, who knows what kind of little weirdos will come out in the long run 
Sabrina recently posted..Only in Texas- A Chicken Fried Steak Festival
Head-butting causes brain damage? Go figure!
Wanderluster recently posted..Moonstruck – Photo of the Day
It’s great running into wildlife while out hiking. . . unless its a bear or mountain lion. These cuties would be just fine!
Debbie Beardsley recently posted..Fabulous Friday- Discovering a Unique Festival in Germany
Great photo! Wildlife can be so difficult to photograph…you don’t want to scare them away!
Sarah V. recently posted..Photo Friday- The Strangest Mascot in All of Sports
I was lucky enough to see Bighorn Sheep when I drove down the AlCan Highway from Alaska back to Washington. They are so cool!
Angela (Travel with a Purpose) recently posted..Photo Friday- An Early Morning in Venice
I had a similar experience when hiking in Italy. I thought I had the mountain to myself until the sheep showed up!
Sensibletraveler recently posted..Photo of the Week- Whitsunday Islands
Sooo Adorable, these lil creatures are! Interesting fun fact as well!
Arti recently posted..Hurray100 posts completed!
FUN! Any animal shot wins my heart
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