It has been quite a while since I last saw a good number of bighorn sheep, so stumbling upon a group of at least eleven the other morning felt like an unexpected gift. When I arrived, it was still almost dark. I couldn’t see much, but the sound carried through the quiet canyon – multiple small rock slides tumbling down the cliff. I instantly knew they had to be up there.

As soon as the light improved, shapes began to emerge. One by one, the sheep came into view. A few were surprisingly low, almost down by the water, grazing on the fresh grass. Others were perched high above, confident on the vertical walls where no human would dare stand. With more light I could finally count them: at least three or four rams, two tiny lambs, some lanky teenagers, and several ewes scattered across the slope.

Every time I see them, I’m reminded how effortlessly they move across the steep, rugged cliffs – running, leaping, and balancing without a hint of hesitation. It never gets old.

We’ve finally had some decent rain in the desert recently, which I’m sure brought the vegetation back to life and encouraged the herd to come down a bit lower in search of fresh food. And now that the worst of the summer heat is behind us here in Mesa, AZ, mornings feel calm and alive again – perfect for moments like this.

What a treat to start the day with such a wild and beautiful encounter.