- Big Horn Sheep, ewes and lambs, above the Rio Grande Reservoir (photo by Bob)
As we leave the ranch just for the weekend, the splendor of the mountain overwhelms, breathtaking both literally and figuratively. The low light of the early morning, late autumn sun light sparkles like so many diamonds across the smooth expanse of the reservoir. We stop to look, to fill ourselves with this magnificence, so that we do not find ourselves empty in the city over the weekend, lost in a land of dazzling lights and blaring noises.
There is nothing here but the hum of the engine, already more that I am used to, and miles of views before us.
Above us we see the Big Horn Sheep in their usual section of the rocky bluff over the road. Ewes and lambs on this day, some days we see the rams. With five ewes, there were but two lambs. I wonder if that is all that survived birth and a summer in a harsh, high climate. How many will survive the winter? They are fearless there, looking down at us, watching us with bright eyed curiosity, yet still wild, with plenty of places to go should they need to. If they only knew how vulnerable they are there. Two years ago about this time, we found one dead by the side of road with her horns removed. When we reported this to our wildlife officials, they found two more carcasses in the same area, all with the same bullet within them.
Our spirits soar again. A pair of golden eagles escort us further down the road, away from the rambling sheep. One lands on the cliff and stares out over the expanse of the reservoir. Does he admire the sparkling beauty as we do? Or are we fools enough to believe they only look for food. The wider the views, the more narrow our vision. I want to see beyond.
The second eagle lit upon the bluff over the road. We drive closer and stop below her. She sees us, but ignores us. I suppose she knows I am not capable of climbing those rocks to near here. I look. I need not do more. She allows me the vision and does not fly off. We drive away in greater awe even than when we started, with a soul full of strength to help us through a weekend of being strangers in a strange land.
- A golden eagle on the cliff above us.
