It had been one of those rare Arizona occurrences. The rain fell in varying degrees throughout the night, occasionally waking me with thoughts of running water in the far too long dry washes. I began formulating a plan to head out at first light with the hope of perhaps getting some photos of a waterfall. The Superstition Mountains and the area to the east provide some spectacular waterfalls if the rain is sufficient.
Heading out bright and early, the rain having ceased, I was soon at the entrance to Hewitt Canyon. Coming to the crossing of Queen Creek I was sadly disappointed to discover it as dry as it had been for too many years. Leaving the narrow rocky road, I opted instead to proceed up the creek bed, following it until it merged again with the road several miles ahead. I would often choose this route as it offered more opportunities for local bird and wildlife photos, and of course solitude.
Traversing the deep sand and skirting the array of rocks and boulders made the trip much more interesting as well. My trusty jeep crawled along at a steady pace, the only sound being made by the sand as it was crushed beneath the tires. The canyon began to narrow as I continued, indicating the point at which the road would again join the wash as there was no longer room to separate them.
Reaching the formidable mouth of the canyon, I looked up at the steep walls and jagged spires towering several hundred feet above me. Much to my surprise, as I had never seen them at this location before, there was a small herd of Desert Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni ).
Quickly changing to my biggest lens, I began getting some great photos. It was truly amazing how they could walk along the seemingly sheer faces of the cliffs as though they were on a Sunday stroll in the park. Normally they stay much higher in the rocks, but today they had descended much lower, perhaps in search of a pool of rainwater. Either way, I was delighted to have the chance at such a close encounter. Eventually they grazed their way back up to the safety of the mountain where few, if any, could follow.
I finished this watercolor this morning.
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