"Battling Bighorns" December 18-22, 2011 (2 spaces remaining)

I've spent the past 8 years photographing this amazing spectacle and have determined the very best time to witness the amazing battles of the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep of the largeest bighorn sheep herd in the United States. With my thorough understanding of bighorn behavior we'll be prepared to capture the exciting interaction and their complex behavior.

The beautiful and rugged Absaroka Mountains lie along the eastern boundary of Yellowstone National Park . Rising to over 13,000 feet they are home to one of the largest populations of Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep in North America . Each winter hundreds of bighorns winter in the valleys west of Cody providing excellent access to photographers. We will concentrate our efforts in the spectacular valley of the North Fork of the Shoshone River .

December is the mating season for the bighorn sheep. Rival rams fight for dominance and the right to breed. The battles are one the most spectacular sights in the natural world and we have timed our trip to be on location during the peak of the season. We will spend each day amidst the sheep herds photographing the interactions.

The valley is also home to a host of other wildlife that with luck we may be able to see and hopefully photograph. River otters, bison, elk, deer, coyote, red fox, and cottontail rabbits are some of the inhabitants. Northern pygmy owls, golden and bald eagles, ravens, magpies, waxwings, robins, American dippers, and many others birds are native to this area.

The mountain scenery is inspiring, beautiful landscapes beckon you around every turn. There is no shortage of photographic subjects along the North Fork of the Shoshone River..

For more information go to:

http://www.franzfoto.net/pdf/FRANZ-Battling-Bighorns-Tours.pdf

2 spots remaining