In the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, NM State Rd 567 climbs from Taos Junction Bridge, where it spans the Rio Grande, to the rim of the Rio Grande Gorge. At this time of the year, a bighorn herd is often to be found somewhere along the upper end of that dirt road, and most usually in the vicinity of the hairpin turn that is situated close to the gorge rim (see Google Earth map below). Thus, these bighorns sees lots of cars and people, and are very tolerant of close approach. Why do they choose to hang out here? That’s anyone’s guess.
Google Earth map of Taos Junction Bridge area
Bighorn rams, with the Rio Grande beyond (top center)
Young bighorn ram
Bighorn lamb
The hairpin turn, upstream view looking northeast at the gorge and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains
Downstream view from the hairpin turn, looking southeast. The river is visible to the right of center, with the Picuris Mountains on the horizon.
The Rio Grande Gorge High Bridge, by evening light. View to the northeast.
BelieveSteve (StevenRichardMiller) 