Flehming Bighorn Ram

Gallery: WildlifePosted May 20, 2013333 views9 comments

This is one from the Bighorn rut in the Alberta Rockies, back from this last winter. This ram was checking the air for the scent of females. The curled lip enhances detection of the scent molecules. In fact, I used to call this "curling the lip" until I found out that this behavior has a name: "flehming".

7D, Sigma 150-500 at 500 mm, f/9.0, ISO 640, 1/500 sec, HH, natural light, and very cold day. PP in LR4 and PS5. Cropped.

I hope to go out shooting again soon.

Thanks for stopping by. Roger.

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on May 20, 2013 at 7:49 PM

Excellent detail and a great pose, Roger. Well done.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Cross on May 20, 2013 at 7:51 PM

Great behavioral photo, Roger. Mule deer have a similar behavior in which a buck shadows a doe and when she urinates, he rushes in and puts his nose into the spot. Then he does a "lip curl" in which he can detect if the doe is receptive to be bred. I didn't get quite the closeup you did, but happy with what I did get. Nice shot.

Registered on April 3, 2010, 271 Posts, 1342 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on May 20, 2013 at 8:12 PM

Fantastic portrait Roger, the animals look and "flehming" behavior is very captivating.
Learned something new today.. Who says ya can't teach an old dog new tricks

Nicely crafted image, very well done

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on May 20, 2013 at 9:59 PM

I like the detail and sharpness in this image. Also the dof id great. The lips and teeth are sharp, as well as the back of the curl. The background really makes him pop.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on May 21, 2013 at 1:18 AM

Wow, nice capture Roger, great pose and excellent detail. This ram seems to be quite blonde in coloration compared to the Bighorns I'm accustomed to seeing. The light background works pretty well, the little bit of blue helps to give it some depth I think; distant mountains I assume?

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Roger Kirchen on May 21, 2013 at 8:04 AM

Thanks you all for you comments and feedback. I was very lucky in being at the right spot at the right time.

Thanks for letting me know about the buck's behavior, Peter.

Howard, I found out about the "flehming" word 10 minutes before posting. Later I did some more reading and found out about the Jacobson organ. Indeed "Who says ya can't teach an old dog new tricks"

Richard and Gary, the BG is a snow covered mountain with bare spots (rock or forest?). There is some sky at the very top of the image, based on other captures taken at slightly steeper angle. Gary, the photo was taken on the stretch between Jasper and E Park boundary. It's not the popular hangout near the rock face with the small body of water but further E, long smooth curve.

Registered on March 6, 2011, 95 Posts, 847 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on May 21, 2013 at 10:27 AM

Classic behavior...and I think he is giving the lens the suspicious "eye!" Techs look good.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on May 22, 2013 at 5:05 PM

Very nice close-up view of this behavior Roger

Love that eye!

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on May 23, 2013 at 3:12 AM

Dig these guys, nice behavioural portrait here.

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments