Total Miles: 492.0 ~ Wildlife: 12 Moose ~ 4 Dall Sheep
After surviving a couple of weeks of winter weather, we finally got a break with some clear and sunny sky. Wanting to take advantage of the weather, I decided to take a three day Photo Hunt for Dall Sheep in the Chugach Mountains that parallel Turnagain Arm just south of Anchorage, Alaska.
It was a beautiful drive north on March 17th, however by the evening of March 18th once again the snow showers started so I cut my hunt short by one day and headed south to the sanctuary of my cabin on the Anchor River.
Winter on the upper Kenai River. My traveling buddy and spotter, "Dutch" and I always stop at this location. This is the first "spot" that we stopped at on our return trip from Anchorage after picking him up at the airport as a pup on May 18, 2002.
Chugach Mountains and Portage Valley from the Crest of Turnagain Pass.
Mountains At Summit Of "Turngain Pass"
Confulence of Cook Inlet, Turnagain Arm, and Knik Arm
Float Ice on "Turnagain Arm" Looking Into the Valley Of Hope, Alaska
(Look at tree in center ~ Can you tell the normal wind direction on Turnagain Arm)
Sunset On Turnagain Arm
Although this is not normal Moose habitat, this is the second time in two trips that I have found Moose on top of the rock ridges that run down from the Chugach Mountain Range. This shot was made just at daylight on March 18th.
"Ridge Runner"
My primary objective on this trip was to get some pictures of the Dall Sheep that inhabit the mountains of the Chugach Range. Although, I spent over sixteen hours of glassing the mountains, the Dall Sheep were pretty shy. In total, I thought I saw 3,427 Sheep, however 3,423 turned out to be patches of snow! As darkness approached on the first day, I had yet to see the elusive sheep.
The following morning, I was back on the scene just prior to first light. Again, it looked to be a slow day for locating the objective of my trip. In the afternoon of the second day, I finally spotted a Dall Ewe feeding at the top of a rock ridge. Hoping that she would lure in additional sheep, I stayed with her for three hours as she slowly moved down the rock ledges. Finally giving up, I went to visit other sites that I have seen sheep in the past.
Although, my intent was to get photographs of a thophy Dall Ram, what would transpire over the next couple of hours was an opportunity that I perhaps will never have the chance to see again. The trip was a success just for this opportunity.
Arriving back at the location where I had seen the Dall Ewe, I discovered that she had moved further down the ridge and within photographing range. She was feeding in the mossy areas, however, not feeding on greenery but the older, brown colored moss. Occasionally, she would stop and lick the rocks for the mineral content.
Dall Ewe Sheep ~ Turnagain Arm, Alaska
The other thing that I was not aware of the first time that I saw her, she has a last spring lamb with her. Evidently, the lamb was taking a nap behind a rock or something because it was not in sight during my first visit to the site.
What I would witnessed for the next couple of hours was a great demonstration of parental skills. The Ewe believed in teaching by example and leadership, a novel approach to parenting.
She would feed for a short bit, then move on to a spot so the lamb could move in and feed on the same material. It appeared to me that she was deliberately taking the most difficult passage down the side of the rock ridge, just to give the lamb experience.
You can almost see the hesitant look on his face, if he should really followed "Mom".
At this point, she is at this spot on the ridge for a specific reason.
First, she takes a peek at the crevice that lays below her, about 5 -6 feet wide and 30 - 40 feet deep.
While "Whitey" has his / her back turned, mom makes the leap!
Landing safely on the other side of the crevice.
Noticing the "mom" is on the other side, "Whitey" surveys the scene and shows concern that mom is on the other side.
Not wanting to make the leap, he walked to the top of the crevice, only to find a large boulder and steep drop off that would prohibit him from crossing.
Returning to the site where his mother took the leap, he took a second peek. Notice that she never leaves the site, as if she was encouraging him to try out his legs.
Taking a second peek,
Building up his nerve, he makes his leap!
Safely landing next to his mother!
She fed in this area for less than 10 minutes, and jumped back to the other side of the crevice as "Whitey" watches the technique. This was more of a "teach you to jump" class rather than feeding.
Once again, he approaches the edge of the crevice with caution. Meanwhile, mom turns her back and waits for him.
"Look at me mom, I am flying"
She once again led the way, picking the path of most resistance.
Having been around them for several hours, she grew accustomed to seeing me and decided to come down to a lower elevation so I could see her and her little "Whitey".
Love this shot of Mom and Baby
"Whitey" will be a year old this spring, I could almost adopt him / her.
Although, it is still to early to tell if "Whitey" is a little boy or a girl,
but notice his/her horns are just starting to develop.
"Whitey" The Dall Sheep Lamb
This is "Stoney", who is also a last spring lamb. I took his picture last fall in the Toad River area in the Yukon Territory. They are actually related by species and adapted to their own environment, making them cousins. "Stoney" is "Stone Sheep" and in adulthood look very similar to a Dall Sheep with the exception of the coloration.
Because of the Dall Ewe and little "Whitey, it was a great trip. The big trophy Dall Ram can wait for another time.
