Though the eyes of a wildlife photographer at lucy springs.
This tale begins on July 23 2010 at a location in the Nevada desert east of Reno.
A friend knew about a spring in the desert that was the only water on the mountain range. He was kind enough to show me where it was and assist me in the photo shoot. Thank you my friend.
We needed to set up the photo blind the day before the photo shoot so it would be in place ready to go at first light the next day. We arrived at the spring late in day on July 23rd. After walking around the spring we discovered a heavily used game trail from the west. The location of the blind is of up most importance. You must think about lighting, wind direction and concealment. With all that in mind we decided to set-up in the bottom of a ditch in tall brush located east of the spring. The position of the blind will only work for morning light. I felt morning light was my best opportunity to create the images I had envisioned.
July 24th~ The 4am alarm went off and it was time to roll out of bed and make our way to the photo blind. After having a quick cup of cold coffee we were on my way. We wanted to get into the blind before first light so we wouldn't’t kick any animals off the water. After a short 20 minute walk up the draw as were settled into position.
As the sun came up so did the activity at the spring. The first thing to arrive at the spring was a group of chukar. Anyone that has spent any time in the hills of Nevada knows the very distinct sound a chukar makes. There were several family groups of chukar coming to water. Interesting to observe how the adult chukar would walk to an observation point. Looked around for danger, when they felt safe they would cluck and the little ones would make their way to the adult. Then the adult would advance further, check for danger and call the young to advance. This was repeated until they reached the water. This routine was repeated by each family group.
It’s a special treat to observe the chukar go about their normal routine of feeding and watering sometimes as close as 5 feet away.
Before I knew it, it was mid-morning. Most of the family groups of chukar had come to water and retreated back into the surrounding hills. Much to my chagrin no sheep or antelope had come to water. The desert heat inside the photo blind was taking its toll. I was slipping into a slumber and preparing myself for a knap when I glanced to the top of a ridge to see what I’d been waiting for. I couldn't’t believe my eyes. 2 big oll rams standing on the ridge looking down on the spring. Invigorated with the wildlife before me the shutter on my digital camera sounded like a machine gun. Click, click, click, click.
These two big boys made their way to water giving me an opportunity to create some of my favorite Desert bighorn sheep images to date. About 20 minutes later they had their fill and disappeared 
into the surrounding cliffs.
5 minutes later a small ram appeared on the ridge heading for water. While watching the small ram make its way down the hillside. We were surprised to hear the huff of an antelope behind us.
She had a fawn and was very cautious making her way past the photo blind to the waterhole. It was like a photo buffet. Should I photograph Sheep antelope or the remaining chukar.
The seeming endless supply of animals went on for several hours. Either small ram, a ewe and lamb, antelope or coyote came to water and was the target of my lens.
By mid afternoon the heat was getting to use and the animals had all gone away to find shade.
We took advantage of this break in the action and made the short walk back to camp for lunch a cold drink and a short nap.
Feeling refreshed from our siesta we returned to the photo blind around 5pm. No sooner had we settled in when 6 rams 1 ewe and 1 lamb came down the game trail. It was getting late in the day and the sun was beginning to set. The light was coming from the west and making it difficult to create properly exposed images. Making the best of the lighting situation I chose to create silhouette of sheep.
Nightfall ended our day of photography with a feeling of satisfaction.
Saturday we saw many chukar, 3 antelope and 12-15 sheep. Most of the sheep were rams. I was sure there must be a group of ewe’s and lambs in the area. They hadn't watered Saturday so they should water on Sunday.
Sunday 25th of July started the same as the day before. 4am, a cup of cold coffee and up the draw we went. Shortly after climbing into the blind the wildlife started arriving to the water hole.
Just like on Saturday the chukar arrived first.
It was interesting to watch the family group pecking order. One young chukar would be allowed to stand next to an adult while the next one was chased away by the adult. 
The chukar show ended around 9:30am. A few minutes later a group of ewes, lambs and 1 ram came busting down the trail. As I had predicted that would be the day the ewe’s and lambs came to water.
It was interesting to watch as the lead ram led his herm to water.
He walked to a rock above the water, looking around for any sigh of danger. All this time the ewe’s and lambs stood back. After a few minutes the ewe’s and lambs went to water while he stood guard.
After they had their fill of water he drank and they disappeard into the hills.
At that point it was mid day and time to break camp and head home.
.
That weekend spent at the water hole with my friend will be with me for the rest of my life. Photography makes me slow down and see life as it really is. Each day spent observing wildlife makes me a wiser person. There is a lesson to learn from all creatures large and small if you only take the time to observe.
For more of my photography please visit my web site at www.digitalwildlifeimages.com
Tim Torell