My personal life has been fairly convoluted this year. Health issues, death of family members and other unexpected surprises at regular intervals have all conspired to put a serious crimp in my photographic activity. Still I managed to get some work in and spend some time with friends chasing photographs around the state, though not nearly as much as I would have liked. Right now though, things seem to have smoothed out for me (and my family), at least to the point where I can throw my camera pack into the truck and return to the mountains.

November is Bighorn Sheep Rut time, and I’ve already made one trip up to scout the situation west of Denver. I can normally work bighorn through at least mid-December and that is exactly what I intend to do. My success in photographing bighorn usually hinges on the weather along the front range mountains. I watch for forecasts of snow and then plan my trips for the day after a snow in the high country where the bighorn are. The bighorn are most active after a snow and when it’s cold.

Today’s photo was made two years ago in November when my friend Jonathan Steele came out to visit for a few days of bighorn photography. This year, I have a couple of friends I’ll be hitting up to make day trips. If things go as planned, I should be able to get a couple of runs in each week for the next few weeks.

I guess I’ll find out tomorrow, Thursday, after some predicted snow in the high country.

With a little perseverance and a some luck, my bighorn sheep photography will get me into a new groove.