» bighorn sheep http://www.newwaverafting.com/blog Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:35:31 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 The Bighorn Sheep of the Taos Box http://www.newwaverafting.com/blog/the-bighorn-sheep-of-the-taos-box http://www.newwaverafting.com/blog/the-bighorn-sheep-of-the-taos-box#comments Sun, 12 Jun 2011 23:44:14 +0000 Britt Runyon http://www.newwaverafting.com/blog/?p=2140 It’s pretty much guaranteed that we’ll find a Bighorn Sheep on the shores of the Taos Box section of the RIo Grande River. Here’s a few images from June 11, 2011.

Karen & guests floating quietly by one of the young rams.

A bachelor group of rams.

Having a cool drink of water.

One of this years offspring.

One of the introduced ewes (#5) with her new youngster.

]]> http://www.newwaverafting.com/blog/the-bighorn-sheep-of-the-taos-box/feed 0 Desert Bighorn of the Taos Box http://www.newwaverafting.com/blog/desert-bighorn-of-the-taos-box http://www.newwaverafting.com/blog/desert-bighorn-of-the-taos-box#comments Sat, 12 Jun 2010 02:15:28 +0000 Britt Runyon http://www.newwaverafting.com/blog/?p=1659 The Desert Bighorn just continue to pose for me in the Taos Box and I can not resist capturing the image.

One of the alpha males.

One of the alpha males.

]]> http://www.newwaverafting.com/blog/desert-bighorn-of-the-taos-box/feed 0 Bighorn Sheep of the Rio Grande River, Taos Box, May 23, 2010 http://www.newwaverafting.com/blog/bighorn-sheep-of-the-rio-grande-river-taos-box-may-23-2010 http://www.newwaverafting.com/blog/bighorn-sheep-of-the-rio-grande-river-taos-box-may-23-2010#comments Tue, 25 May 2010 13:51:29 +0000 Britt Runyon http://www.newwaverafting.com/blog/?p=1549 New Wave Rafting’s full day Taos Box trip consists not only of lots of whitewater action. If one is vigilant, there is also abundant wildlife that can be observed. We really felt blessed on this particular day.  Not only did we have warm sunshine to take the chill out after getting soaked in Class 4 rapids, but we had some superb wildlife sightings as well.

First spotted was a Baby Bighorn who seemed more curious about us than it's mother did.

First spotted was a baby Bighorn who seemed more curious about us than it's mother did.

This two year old munches on the sedge that grows along the river.

This two year old munches on the sedge that grows along the river.

With their thick winter coat shed, their looking quite sleek.

With their thick winter coats shed, they're looking quite sleek.

One of the older ewes, who two days after this photo gave birth.

This older ewe gave birth two days after this photo was taken.

The rams this time of year hang out on their own in what is termed a "bachelor group"

At this time of the year the rams hang out together in what is termed a "bachelor group"

Here is Butch. He is one of the alpha rams. He looks pretty tough to me!

This is Butch. He appears to be the alpha ram. He looks pretty tough to me!

Don’t forget. You can click on any image to enlarge and please feel free to leave a comment.

]]> http://www.newwaverafting.com/blog/bighorn-sheep-of-the-rio-grande-river-taos-box-may-23-2010/feed 0 Taos Box, Rio Grande River, May 7, 2010 http://www.newwaverafting.com/blog/taos-box-rio-grande-river-may-7-2010 http://www.newwaverafting.com/blog/taos-box-rio-grande-river-may-7-2010#comments Sat, 08 May 2010 17:15:54 +0000 Britt Runyon http://www.newwaverafting.com/blog/?p=1475 Just another day on the Rio Grande River in the Taos Box.

Karen captains the safety boat.

Karen captains the safety boat.

Lucy lounges in the sun.

Lucy lounges in the sun.

A couple of dudes R2 thru Dead Car Rapid.

A couple of dudes R2 thru Dead Car Rapid.

]]> http://www.newwaverafting.com/blog/taos-box-rio-grande-river-may-7-2010/feed 0 Rio Pueblo de Taos (Taos Creek) Hike (January 23, 2010) http://www.newwaverafting.com/blog/rio-pueblo-de-taos-taos-creek-hike-january-23-2010 http://www.newwaverafting.com/blog/rio-pueblo-de-taos-taos-creek-hike-january-23-2010#comments Fri, 29 Jan 2010 02:32:44 +0000 Britt Runyon http://www.newwaverafting.com/blog/?p=1111 Thus begins a winter hike for CJ and myself. A few hundred yards upstream of the Taos Junction Bridge lies the confluence of the Rio Grande River and the Rio Pueblo. It is sometimes fished for trout and sometimes kayaked by those possessing superior paddling skills, but we saw no one on this snowy day. The drive along the Race Course section brought us our first Bald Eagle.

A popular perch across from the lone Ponderosa Pine below Quartzite Put-in.

A popular perch across from the lone Ponderosa Pine below Quartzite Put-in.

Another in the Orrilla Verde Recreation Area.

Another in the Orilla Verde Recreation Area.

A short distance above the confluence CJ accidentally spotted this bald while watching (through her new Nikon ATB Monarch (waterproof) 10×42 binoculars), a raven feed on what she claimed to be pieces of a rabbit.

On my belly, in the rocks, an attempt at a clear image.

On my belly, in the rocks, attempting an unobstructed image.

Seems the camera "click" was a bit loud.

Seems the camera "click" was a bit loud.

Snow and ice covers the rocks of the Rio Pueblo and getting in close allows one to admire the various abstract formations created by both wind and water in freezing temperatures.

The Rio Pueblo de Taos joins the Rio Grande.

The Rio Pueblo de Taos joins the Rio Grande.

Ice Arch.

Ice Arch.

One can drive a short distance up the old road that follows the stream to the top of the Taos Plateau and eventually back to Highway 68, but it’s no longer drivable due to a serious rock fall some years ago and now is a hiking trail only.

The Rio Pueblo.

The Rio Pueblo.

Snow, ice and water.

Snow, ice and water.

Constantly on the lookout for more Bald Eagles or perhaps one of the River Otters that were released into the Rio Grande Gorge last winter, we were graced with a herd of Bighorn Sheep grazing below the south facing cliff of the canyon wall. Evidence of  past inhabitants can also be found.

Bighorn Sheep.

Bighorn Sheep.

Petroglyph.

Petroglyph.

Almost to the top of the mesa the Rio Pueblo Canyon takes a more northerly turn and one gets a look at the top of the Taos Plateau. It was nice to see the blue sky.

Up canyon view.

Up canyon view.

Down canyon view towards the confluence.

Down canyon view towards the confluence.

Taos Plateau view looking to the north.

Taos Plateau view looking to the north.

CJ poses atop what I guess could be called the summit block.

CJ poses atop what I guess could be called the summit block.

The blue sky we found on the mesa soon gave way to more clouds and snow flurries with a substantial drop in temperature. On the way down we took only a moment to watch the sheep and reached the truck which had a note from the local BLM Ranger on the windshield. Oops, don’t forget to pay your $3 entrance fee to the Orilla Verde Recreation Area.

With plenty of daylight left we decided a drive was in order. Across the Taos Junction Bridge, up the west Mesa Road, which is now paved, with no speed limit signs (I guess it’s New Mexico’s version of the Autobahn) and to the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. So indulge me in a few more photos.

Looking east toward Taos.

Looking east toward Taos.

This photo has been taken a thousand times.

This photo has been taken a thousand times.

Looking upstream toward Ski Jump Rapid.

Looking upstream toward Ski Jump Rapid.

Looking downstream toward Three Forks Canyon.

Looking downstream toward Three Forks Canyon.

Ok, so now one more Bald Eagle photo taken on the drive out. Along the river, in a lone Ponderosa Pine at the gaging station, sat an immature Bald.

As the sun was setting.

As the sun was setting.

Remember:  All these photos, and more, can be found at “www.flickr.com/photos/jorunny/”.

]]> http://www.newwaverafting.com/blog/rio-pueblo-de-taos-taos-creek-hike-january-23-2010/feed 0