Bighorn sheep

Description:

I was pleasantly surprised by this small herd as I had to stop my vehicle to let them pass. They quickly scampered up the hill, while I took some pictures of them. They are beginning to shed their winter coats. Losing their wool is a critical process for the survival of bighorn sheep, molting helps them avoid heat stress in the summer. It also helps them to more easily navigate the rugged regions at higher elevations.

Habitat:

Spotted on a hillside in the Yakima river valley.