• Hello little one, what are you thinking? - Janice L

Always the curious "little one"

January 10th, 2012. A bright clear winter's day. My wife and I drove the old dirt road (called Ellensburg Pass locally) and the Yakima River Canyon road, to get some sunshine, fresh air, and see if we could spot any wildlife.

We saw lots of mule deer and bighorn sheep. With one small herd of Bighorn Sheep, I decided to take my camera and climb up a hidden ravine to see if I could get a couple of snapshots of the group, before they retreated even higher up the steep basalt cliffs of the Yakima River Canyon. I was pleased when I got back home that I had caught at least a couple of photos of one of the young bighorn, who truly seemed as interersted and curious about me as I was interested in observing them.

FYI: the Ellensburg pass has lots of ice on it and I highly recommend four wheel drive for that trip. Also, the new Discover Pass required signs are posted at every pull off near the Umtanum Falls trailhead, so go prepared.

The Umtanum Creek canyon presents an unusual situation: The nice parking lot on the east side (left bank) of the Yakima River is on BLM land, so you need to cover yourself for parking there with the proper permit. When you cross the footbridge across the Yakima River, you start hiking on state wildlife land BUT (for now), since you are parking your vehicle on BLM land and hiking on state land....there are no Discover Pass required signs posted (yet).

I'm concerned about the lack of snow pack in Washington's mountains but have to admit I am enjoying the snow free winter's days down at lower elevations in Eastern Washington. It will be an interesting hiking year in 2012l, with many trails up higher, perhaps opening much earlier than usual. OMT

Comments and faves

  1. **Alice** (5 months ago | reply)

    lovely nature scene. were they gazing at you?

  2. ★

    AlaskaLoneWolf added this photo to their favorites. (5 months ago)

  3. oldmantravels (5 months ago | reply)

    Alice - - that they were. As long as bigrhorn sheep and mountain goat are above you, they are interested in your presence but not worried. Shortly after I took this photograph I started hiking back down the canyon wall to my wife in our car parked below. Then, just before I reached the car, I turned and took one last photo of the herd taking one last look at me. After than, all but the "little guy" resumed their nonchalent grazing. I think I made the day of the little one. OMT

  4. *wildbio* (5 months ago | reply)

    Beautiful shots of the sheep! That canyon is one of my favorite places to explore.

  5. oldmantravels (5 months ago | reply)

    wildbio - - After the WSF&W folks culled the herd due to disease, I was wondering how long it would take the rest to rebound. Evidently, not long. Lots of healthy looking bighorn sheep in the canyon. Thanks for all the fine photographs you post on flickr and for leaving kind comments with some of my photos from time to time. Best to you for new year 2012. OMT

  6. LAP75 (5 months ago | reply)

    LOL! They look marvelous OMT, a great capture here!

  7. oldmantravels (5 months ago | reply)

    Thanks LAP75 and happy new year 2012. This little drive in the sunshine was a great way to start out the new year for us. OMT

  8. rooftop65 (4 months ago | reply)

    The curious look on the "little one" is very precious! Great to see you exploring in the winter sun this year. Even I was doing that until the storm of 2012. That has me house bound with cabin fever. Going out means sliding out on ice. Not much fun for an older gent!

  9. ★

    rooftop65 added this photo to his favorites. (4 months ago)

  10. oldmantravels (4 months ago | reply)

    John - - Nobody gets cabin fever faster than I do. Same thing ... each and every winter. I find it is the short days and long nights that bother me most. Cold I can take (no wind or snow though thank you). Let's face it. I'm a FAIR WEATHER outdoorsman. Can't wait to get out on a hike and/or a road trip. Won't be long. Best to you for your 2012 adventures. OMT

  11. Janice L (4 months ago | reply)

    Wonderful nature shot.

  12. oldmantravels (4 months ago | reply)

    Janice - - don't you just love the curiosity and wonder that young animals display toward the wonderful world they find themselves in. A good lesson in life. OMT

  13. ★

    Art In Time added this photo to his favorites. (4 months ago)

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