Big Horn Sheep drinking road crack water

[wwillson]

Today we drove up the Cache la Poudre River Canyon to see some sights and maybe even Big Horn Sheep. Oncoming traffic was flashing their headlights, so we knew there was something around the corner. Sure enough, this guy was standing in the middle of the road licking water out of the crack between the lanes. I stopped next to him and took this picture, then told him it isn't safe to stand in the middle of the road. He didn't pay any attention to any of the cars or even my sage advice. Whatever. The funny thing is he was drinking road crack water and there was pristine river was 100 feet away.

 

[vavavroom]

Once you've tasted road crack water you won't go back.

 

[Bud]

Once you've tasted road crack water you won't go back.

At some point he will have to go into rehab.

 

[vavavroom]

At some point he will have to go into rehab.

For all we know he's tweaking right now.

 

[wavinwayne]

Road crack is whack.

 

[GON]

Today we drove up the Cache la Poudre River Canyon to see some sights and maybe even Big Horn Sheep. Oncoming traffic was flashing their headlights, so we knew there was something around the corner. Sure enough, this guy was standing in the middle of the road licking water out of the crack between the lanes. I stopped next to him and took this picture, then told him it isn't safe to stand in the middle of the road. He didn't pay any attention to any of the cars or even my sage advice. Whatever. The funny thing is he was drinking road crack water and there was pristine river was 100 feet away.

View attachment 249357

Maybe some salt in that crack?

 

[vavavroom]

The ram is probably licking the road crack water because it contains salty residue from road salt. Goats are known to climb dams just to lick salt and minerals off the steep concrete walls. I myself have licked the occasional rock wall while climbing.

 

[wwillson]

Maybe some salt in that crack?

That's my guess, as it just snowed here and salt is spread with gusto.

 

[doitmyself]

Maybe there are minerals that he is licking, similar to mineral blocks used for livestock.

EDIT: Dang! Smart minds think alike!

 

[wwillson]

Maybe there are minerals that he is licking, similar to mineral blocks used for livestock.

Dang! Smart minds think alike!

Can't get enough of those yummy asphaltenes

 

[vavavroom]

Maybe there are minerals that he is licking, similar to mineral blocks used for livestock.

EDIT: Dang! Smart minds think alike!

The ram thought of it first.

 

[D60]

Early one morning I came across one near the bottom of Red Mountain just before Ouray.

I was simply astonished at the seemingly vertical rock faces he scaled as he left the road, and it didn't even look like he was trying.

I've also seen them in Lockhart Canyon outside Moab.

 

[vavavroom]

Early one morning I came across one near the bottom of Red Mountain just before Ouray.

I was simply astonished at the seemingly vertical rock faces he scaled as he left the road, and it didn't even look like he was trying.

I've also seen them in Lockhart Canyon outside Moab.

Mountain sheep and mountain goats are amazing climbers. Goats can even climb trees. Their feet have soft and grippy pads, hard-edged hooves that bite into surfaces, and they can spread their two toes and grab on to things. They can walk inclines approaching 170 percent or 80°. Humans top out at about 45°.

 

[Bailes1992]

This post reminded me of a local mountain road near to where I live called the Blwch (no, that's correct, it's Welsh). During the winter months the Bwlch mountain road never gets salted. Apparently if they do salt it, then all the sheep come down to lick the road.

 

[Number_35]

This post reminded me of a local mountain road near to where I live called the Blwch (no, that's correct, it's Welsh). During the winter months the Bwlch mountain road never gets salted. Apparently if they do salt it, then all the sheep come down to lick the road.

Surely there's government funding available to buy some vowels for the poor folk there ...

 

[wemay]

I agree with those positing its probably mineral based.

 

[burbguy82]

I reckon he knows exactly what he is doing.

I seem to have the same conversations with my animals, and they rarely listen. In fact they look at me like I am stupid. And with scorn sometimes.

 

[D60]

Surely there's government funding available to buy some vowels for the poor folk there ...

If so I'd love to buy Hawaii the other 13 letters.

 

[burbguy82]

I reckon he knows exactly what he is doing.

I seem to have the same conversations with my animals, and they rarely listen. In fact they look at me like I am stupid. And with scorn sometimes.

@wwillson example

 

[Snagglefoot]

There is a new overpass under construction just south of Radium, BC to try keep Big Horn Sheep off the highway. If anyone has ever been to Radium, the town is full of Big Horn Sheep.