Hakatai Thrill I

While hiking down the South Kaibab Trail into the Grand Canyon in December 2017, we were thrilled to see this mother Bighorn Sheep and two youngsters resting on the distinctive red Hakatai Shale. The huge boulders are from the 525-million-year-old Tapeats Sandstone that have tumbled down to rest here.
These sheep are sure-footed and nimble and can weigh up to 250 pounds. Climate change that affects vegetation growth will also affect food sources for these remarkable animals.
Image is framed with double mat and narrow black frame.