Grand Canyon Sunset Clearing Thunderstorm

Intense thunderstorms brought torrential rain and hail, fog, thunder and lightning that lasted several hours and cleared crowds from the Hermit’s Road viewpoints. Shortly before sunset, the storm progressed northward as the sun fell below clouds on the western horizon. Brilliant rays poured in and illuminated the majestic geologic features. I raced to paint a plein air study which conveyed a visual representation as well as the thrilling emotion as I painted in unusual solitude near Powell Point. A few well camouflaged desert bighorn ewes and lambs later emerged and quietly grazed in the shadows. The sheep offer a sense of scale and serve as a reminder that the Grand Canyon exhibits not only unique beauty and geologic wonder, but also protects habitat for its often overlooked desert dwelling species. Bighorns are just one example of a species which suffered catastrophic decline, disappearing from most of their historic range and needing protection and reintroduction to other parks. However, the vast landscape of the Grand Canyon maintained a natural population that has weathered the storm.