Among the Ancients
Mt. Goliath bristlecone pine grove, Mt. Evans Colorado
A Photo Essay by Vickie Danielsen with Myrna Windecker and Debby Craig
King of the Hill
I was told by the ranger who was quietly supervising the goats (and the photographers), that it was almost breeding season so the dominant billy goats were being agressive toward the younger males. In the process, as the younger boys jumped out of the way of the bossy big guys, they could inadvertently hurt an onlooker (me). He also told me there are a total of about 300 goats on Mt. Evans.
At this time of year goat coats are so thick and warm that they often have to pant to cool off. We experienced a wind chill of about 20 degrees. If the sun hadn't been shining so beautifully, we'd have been bitterly cold.