TAKING THE BIG-HORN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VI, Issue 32, 9 August 1890, Page 18

TAKING THE BIG-HORN.

Hunter’s talk of the excitement attending one’s first deershooting, but probably the nervousness which attacks a photographer when he comes upon remarkable ‘ game ’ is not as well known. The author of ‘ Mountaineering in Colorado ’ describes his own sensations in photographing Rocky Mountain sheep, or big-horn. We came upon three Rocky Mountain sheep, quietly browsing, only a few hundred feet distant on our right. Our leader told us to duck, and said, in an undertone to me : ‘ Follow me with your camera.’ We dismounted, and almost crawled till we saw the bighorn again. They had not observed us, and the wind was blowing a gale in our faces, so that they weie in no danger of getting our scent. Luckily, my instrument was focussed. I pointed my lens at the animals, and exposed one plate, although they were not so near as when we first saw them. Just then they discovered us, and, after a glance in our direction, trotted off over the slope to the brow of the hill. Imagine our surprise when they turned and walked a little way toward us again. I asked my friends to return to the packs for more plates, and, while they were gone, I focussed more carefully on the distant animals, as they stared at me, their curiosity overcoming their fear. My companions now brought up the relay of fresh plates, and retired behind some ledges further off. At this moment, as I remained there alone by the camera, the ram stood up on his hind-legs and struck out with his forefeet as if inviting combat; then the three stood looking at me. Our leader crawled toward me, and as the quarry showed signs of alarm, I attempted to take another picture ; but I was now so excited that I took a slide out of one plate-holder before putting on the cap, and that ruined piece of glass now lies among the rocks to amuse the conies and ptarmigan, while the slide I had placed on the camera was whirled far away by the strong wind. Even so experienced a hunter as my companion lost his head, as the big-horn were trotting away, and exclaimed, ‘ Take them quick ! take them quick !’ But lo ! what did these sheep do but turn round, and walk deliberately toward us, until they were within a hundred feet. We were fairly trembling with excitement, and I first took off the cap, without pulling the slide. When I made this blunder, they were all facing us, standing on granite pedestals, a little elevated above the general level." They stepped down from their bold positions, however, and the best opportunity was lost. The next moment I succeeded in capturing them in a less picturesque location, and then the animals decided to trot off, and we saw them no more.