Just wanted to add a quick note that I just opened a store at RedBubble.com. I'm selling affordable prints and cards of a bunch of my paintings so just click the link at the top of this page or go to http://www.redbubble.com/people/dangerfieldart to check it out.
As always, if you're interested in seeing more of my art or purchasing my original paintings go to my website at http://www.kellydangerfield.com/.
Thanks...
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Yellowstone Bighorn Sheep Rut
Yesterday I was able to get out of the studio and spend a little time in Yellowstone. My main intention for this trip was to observe/photograph the rutting behavior of bighorn sheep. It’s still a little early in the year for the rut but the pleasant weather forecast was taunting me to get outdoors.
I got a late start and didn’t get into the park until around noon. I began scouting a few areas where I know bighorns are common this time of year and I was able to find a large group of around 30 sheep resting up on a grassy ridge. It would require a bit of a hike, but I wanted to get away from the roads anyway so I packed up my camera equipment and began the ascent. I was about ¾’s of the way up when I paused to take a few breathes and turned around to enjoy the view behind me. I spotted a group of rams about 100 yards downhill, resting on the backside of a hill that was previously out of my line of sight. I decided to observe this group of rams rather than hike further and risk spooking the larger group of sheep.
It turned out the group consisted of 8 rams all taking a mid-day nap. They didn’t seem to mind my presence so I took a seat and watched them for quite awhile. Unfortunately, I left my sketchbook at home or it would have been a great opportunity to sketch these animals from life. After a bit, they decided it was time for lunch and they all stood up and began grazing on the hillside grasses. The rams were playing around a bit and butting heads here and there but without any ewes present, they never got really active. It was a joy to observe, nonetheless.
Then, things got interesting. Suddenly, the group startled and began running at top speed toward the nearby cliffs. I glanced to the hilltop about 20 yards in front of me and was met eye to eye by a large black wolf. I think it was as startled as I was and we both turned and moved in opposite directions. If the wolf hadn’t seen me, I would probably have witnessed a spectacular hunt at a very close distance. I slowly rounded the hillside and observed the lone wolf watching my every move from a distance. In haste, I snapped a few poor photographs to document the sighting and then decided to move on. The light was fading and I decided it was best to give the wolf a wide berth and move out of the area. I’ve spent a lot of time in the park but this was my first wolf encounter. It was very exciting!
It’s amazing to have wildlife encounters like this within an hour of my home! For a wildlife artist, it’s a dream come true. Here a few photos from my short day trip. I imagine there will soon be at least one new bighorn sheep painting because of this fantastic reference session.
I got a late start and didn’t get into the park until around noon. I began scouting a few areas where I know bighorns are common this time of year and I was able to find a large group of around 30 sheep resting up on a grassy ridge. It would require a bit of a hike, but I wanted to get away from the roads anyway so I packed up my camera equipment and began the ascent. I was about ¾’s of the way up when I paused to take a few breathes and turned around to enjoy the view behind me. I spotted a group of rams about 100 yards downhill, resting on the backside of a hill that was previously out of my line of sight. I decided to observe this group of rams rather than hike further and risk spooking the larger group of sheep.
It turned out the group consisted of 8 rams all taking a mid-day nap. They didn’t seem to mind my presence so I took a seat and watched them for quite awhile. Unfortunately, I left my sketchbook at home or it would have been a great opportunity to sketch these animals from life. After a bit, they decided it was time for lunch and they all stood up and began grazing on the hillside grasses. The rams were playing around a bit and butting heads here and there but without any ewes present, they never got really active. It was a joy to observe, nonetheless.
Then, things got interesting. Suddenly, the group startled and began running at top speed toward the nearby cliffs. I glanced to the hilltop about 20 yards in front of me and was met eye to eye by a large black wolf. I think it was as startled as I was and we both turned and moved in opposite directions. If the wolf hadn’t seen me, I would probably have witnessed a spectacular hunt at a very close distance. I slowly rounded the hillside and observed the lone wolf watching my every move from a distance. In haste, I snapped a few poor photographs to document the sighting and then decided to move on. The light was fading and I decided it was best to give the wolf a wide berth and move out of the area. I’ve spent a lot of time in the park but this was my first wolf encounter. It was very exciting!
It’s amazing to have wildlife encounters like this within an hour of my home! For a wildlife artist, it’s a dream come true. Here a few photos from my short day trip. I imagine there will soon be at least one new bighorn sheep painting because of this fantastic reference session.
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