A large ram is spotted eating grass over the weekend near a roadside in Pilar. The bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) is a species of sheep native to North America named for its large horns. These horns can weigh up to 14 kg (30 lb), while the sheep themselves weigh up to 140 kg (300 lb). Recent genetic testing indicates three distinct subspecies of Ovis canadensis, one of which is endangered: O. c. sierrae. Sheep originally crossed to North America over the Bering land bridge from Siberia; the population in North America peaked in the millions, and the bighorn sheep entered into the mythology of Native Americans. By 1900, the population had crashed to several thousand, due to diseases introduced through European livestock and overhunting. Source: wikipedia. Photo by Paul Elkins

A six-year-old ram with his horns broomed or ground off on rocks so as not to interfere with his peripheral vision. Photo by Paul Elkins

Ram guarding his ewe. Photo by Paul Elkins

A small flock of sheep with some rams. Photo by Paul Elkins

A ewe (female sheep) watches the photographer. Photo by Paul Elkins

A young ram resting. Photo by Paul Elkins

A ram and a ewe stand on a tall rock. Photo by Paul Elkins

A ewe rests on a large rock. Photo by Paul Elkins

A young ram resting with a ewe. Photo by Paul Elkins